You may have heard of the saying, ‘they’re a chip off the old block!’ It’s an endearing saying, that often references the child of someone who not only looks like their parent but has also adopted many of the mannerisms in speech, the way they walk, and preferences for things such as foods, clothing and recreational activities. It’s like the younger person looks up to them and has a deep love and respect for the older person, so, that they just want to be like them to be like a ‘Mini-Me’. This level of admiration is not limited to a generational connection within a family but is also evident when someone has had a profound influence on another person’s life.
The image of being a ‘Mini-Me’ came flooding back to me when I was recently reading through Chapter 3 of the New Testament Book of Philippians, where in verse 17 the Apostle Paul encourages the followers of Jesus to, “join with others and follow my example and take note of those who live according to the patterns we gave you.” The Apostle Paul was encouraging them to adopt the faith mannerisms that he has displayed, walk in the faith like he has walked and has been modelled by others let their life’s preferences reflect that they too are followers of Jesus!
If I were a member of the Philippian church, I think I would have found these words daunting as much as they are attractive! Paul’s instruction could be further summarised: ‘imitate me as I imitate Jesus’. What a challenge, what a calling.
When Paul issued this challenge to imitate him imitating Christ Jesus, he did not expect the people of Philippi (or you and me for that matter) to be done by sheer human effort, but dependence on the grace and power he relied upon, the grace and power of Christ Jesus.
Followers of Jesus can too easily be lulled into thinking that our faith is there to construct comfort zones around using to which we can snuggle, protect us from the world’s dangers. Yet this was far from the experience of the first followers of Jesus, for whom faith was bracing and life was a challenge. Such an outlook requires a deep dependant trust and serious commitment. But let’s not forget that once we turn our lives over to Jesus, He promises to supply all that we need to be a faithful follower of Him! This is why in calling us to imitate him, the Apostle Paul was not expecting us to match his gifts or achievements but rather his passion for one thing: to live and imitate Christ Jesus.
The renowned Christian author Oswald Cambers named his most famous book, ‘My Utmost for His Highest.’ It is said of this title that Chambers was a man who was never content with low achievement – always climbing, especially aspiring to imitate Jesus.
As we have the opportunity each day starting with devotions with the students our prayer and hope is that by daily hearing God’s Word in the Bible being read and how the staff conduct themselves it can assist the students to know how to aspire to imitate Jesus Christ in their lives each day. This is also our prayer for you.