Recently as I was writing some notes in response to my personal Bible Study, I got to thinking about people in my life that just by hanging around them motivated me to strive to be a better person. I remember back in my college days professor Jim Schuppe was one of those individuals. Just by being himself and living his commitment to Christ, he motivated me ...especially in the area of preaching. Because of him, I've never become satisfied with my preaching ability. Since preaching is such a personal thing, and we as preachers want to think we are good, (Few of us really are that good that when we open our mouths we just compel people to want to listen. I've been always jealous of such preachers. Most of us have to work hard and pray a lot, hoping someone might get what we are trying to say.) because of the desire he implanted in me, I've been able to receive non-defensively people's comments about my preaching and hopefully continue to grow. Thank you Jim Shuppe for influencing my life in such a positive way.
On Sunday Chris is going to talk about being an encourager. I wonder how many people would say to us..."Just by being around you, I was encouraged to strive to be a better person." Quite a challenge.
In the Bible, Paul seemed to be motivated by this idea. In one letter he challenged some of his friends to imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1). Think of it, there can be no better influence, than to influence others to trust in and then follow Jesus. Paul directs his close friend and partner in ministry as well to be that kind of a person...a person who influences other for good (1 Timothy 4:12).
In November, the sermons are going to focus on three people's lives, Mary Magdelene, Zacchaeus and the Samaritan Leper. Each of their lives were profoundly changed for good because of their encournters with Jesus. (A side note...you won't want to miss these sermons. Jesus really changed people's lives. If you want Jesus to change your life...your life is a mess, you are struggling, or you have a deep desire to be transformed into the likeness of Christ...these sermons will be for you. Or, maybe you aren't sure you buy into this whole Jesus thing, but you are curious, you will want to learn the story of these people's lives.)
I am thinking it is a good thing to remember those people who really influenced our lives, and to challenge ourselves to be the kind of a person who motivates other to strive to become better people.
You may have somebody who impacted you positively; I would enjoy reading about it. It may not be appropriate to share names or details, but even write a sentence or two about how someone positively impacted you. Let's be imitators of Christ so when others seek to imitate us, they actually are imitating Christ.
