DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: Ephesians 5: 1-2 – Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Everyone in life will have someone we look up to. We have mentors who show us the way to succeed. We have life coaches that help us build integrity. We have teachers who inspire us. We have role models who make us believe that any and everything is possible. The lives of others help to shape and mold our characters and spawn the next generation of somebodies. We look at their stories, their ability to overcome adversity and their spirit and will to be great in man’s eyes and we admire those traits while putting them into our own structure of existence. We quote their words and introduce their logic to our friends and family as an act of culture building within our frame of control. We even find their principles profound and sometimes base our lives around their commitment to excellence.
Well that is great, but what about the example that God has provided for us? What about the example of obedience and love that Jesus showed us? Who’s getting extra excited about shaping their family based on the principles of God’s word and the teachings of Jesus Christ? Who’s allowing the word of God to shape their character and make way for the next generation of confident Christians? Who of us are keeping God’s words on their hearts so that they may quote them with conviction and pour goodness into other’s lives? Who is trying to build a foundation based on God’s love within their family? Who’s looking at Jesus’ story and being inspired to greatness in his kingdom? Who of us is committed to doing life as God has outlined?
As we begin to mule this over in our minds, we have to take stock in the fact that we have the greatest example ever given to follow. We have the love, sacrifice and pouring out of oneself (Jesus) as a way of life that we should model. We easily look at the lives of people and determine that their path is the way we should work toward to embody a success. Why don’t we feel the same about the example Jesus gives us? Don’t any of us believe that Jesus’ example of life is a much better example to follow than that of flawed men?
I think one of the weirdest parts of us being drawn to people and their triumphs is the way we react to their downfalls. We expect so much from them and we hold them in such high esteem but when things go bad for them as they can for any human being, we look at them as weak, disappointments, and unworthy of our praise. Why is this? I believe it’s because we’re looking to put our hope into something but what we put our hope in can be corrupted, destroyed and unfortunately let us down.
On the other hand, with the example set by Jesus, we have something so much greater. Jesus was the absolute picture of perfection, obedience and love. When we set our sights on the example of Jesus, we don’t have an expectation of our role model failing, being weak or disappointing us. Our hope is invigorated and strengthened because his example is perfect. His life doesn’t lead to downfall or corruption or even letting us down. Even his death proved to be more powerful than his life! Who has a better example, mentor, teacher or life coach than that to follow?
When was the last time you put your complete hope into the principles of God?
Today we want you to get back to being a proud follower of the greatest role model to ever live….and die! We always believe that if we follow another’s path it will lead us to their same results. I position to you today, that if you follow the examples, quote the words and live a life that is representative of the life of our great teacher, Jesus Christ, it will surely lead to a life better than you could have imagined and a death you could only have hoped for. The example of Jesus leads to life, even after death! What man’s example is greater than that? Follow the one example that will never fail you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!