1 Thessalonians 2:14-16a
14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

On some level or other we imitate, or tend to imitate, someone who was or is an example to us of godly living, excellent communication of the Gospel, great personal witness style – or a kind pastoral manner, simply a loving and caring person…the list goes on. Previous bosses who were Christians, or honorable men or women from our community who have learned how to serve God and others with integrity, consistency, spiritual authority and/or down-to-earth sincerity and love. Or humble backroom prayer ‘warriors’ who put their ‘money’ where their mouthed-prayers are. Even if not a Christian in the sense we define it now, most of us have a favorite teacher who stands out in our mind’s history as being someone who impacted us in any number of positive ways.
Any and all can inspire us to do the same as them. For a child to say, “I want to be just like my dad or my mom” (not in terms of occupation, but in terms of character) would be one of the most wonderfully humbling things we could possibly hear. But for some unexplainable reason, some people resent those who live righteously among them – often it can even come from family – and others around us can even pro-actively oppose us. It doesn’t make sense but it shouldn’t stop us from emulating the Lord, even when it comes with pain. It may surprise us how many people around us feel unlovable and resist and react when we touch them in some way.
PRAYER ACTION
God, my Father, You redeemed me and made me Your child in Christ. Through Him You have saved me from death and have given me Your Divine life of grace. By becoming more like Jesus on earth, may I come to share His glory in Heaven. Give me the peace of Your kingdom, which this world does not give. By Your loving care protect the good You have given me. Open my eyes to the wonders of Your Love that I may serve You with a willing heart. (adapted liturgical prayer)

"Two things define you. Your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything."
(Unknown)
"As a leader, you're probably not doing a good job unless your employees can do a good impression of you when you're not around."
(Patrick Lencioni)
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