BEING AN EXAMPLE

A friend of mine got wedded recently and it gave me an opportunity to meet with some friends I have not met for a long time. A close friend and brother later told me he would leave on time because he had a vigil the previous night and he was rushing home to prepare for church service the following day. I saw him off and on my way back I saw some area boys who were arguing over packing space for the wedding guests. One of them said something that struck me hard. He said,"Have you been to jail before? How many times have you been to jail". 

I was shocked because this guy was serious and bragging about it while quarrelling with the other guy. I was taken aback by those words. This guy may be a father, an uncle and neighbour to some people but how does he model his children and people around him. Don't be surprised that some one may be looking up to him out there. My question is this: is anyone looking up to you and who are you looking up to? Many lives have been made or destroyed by the people we all look up to. Some one would say, I would like to pattern my life after that person. If you ask some kids and people who do you want to be like?  Some will say Beyounce, Tupac, Bin Laden, Whitney Houston,Michael Jackson, Fela, Ronaldo, Messi, Cece Winans, T.D Jakes, Pastor Adeboye, Usain Bolt, and our lord Jesus Christ. 


But my concern is the criteria they use in picking mentors and those they pattern their lives after. Hebrews 6:12 says,(We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised). Be careful who you choose to pattern your life after. Before you make any body your pattern, look at their lives very well and how they end up. Look at their present state and end result if they are dead and ask yourself if you want to be and end up like them. 

Lastly, the way you are living your life today, if any one were to pattern their life after you, what and who would they end up becoming. You may not know it but people are watching you. The other day, some one met me in church and told me that he had been watching me and my life had blessed him. I became scared because I knew I was not perfect and I had weaknesses. I told myself that I have to be more careful because whatever I do or say affects people. Your life speaks louder than what you say. Be a good example(1 tim 4:12)