As is so often the case, I was on my morning walk when off in the distance I saw another walker. This man walks a similar route to me at about the same time every morning. We always speak, and sometimes I walk a few steps with him. This has played out so much over the last couple years that I know his routes.
This morning I was about a half a mile away from him when I first spotted him walking down the street perpendicular to the one I was on. Because I knew where he was going, I decided right then to see if I could catch him before he made his turn and started walking back towards me. I’ve chased him down like that before but today I was farther away when I spotted him.
I didn’t catch him but I got mighty close – close enough that I could hit him with a paper wad. In fact, when he made his turn and saw me he jumped a little and said, “Where did you come from?” That’s a million dollar question Buddy, where did I come from? Anyway, I laughed and told him again that I like trying to catch him because it makes me push myself. I slowed down, walked a few paces with him and chatted for a minute before I moved on at my regular speed.
I thought about the significance of that as I walked on. Sometimes it’s important to have that pace car ahead of you. It didn’t hurt me at all to push myself harder. I burned more calories and my exercise was probably more effective. It helps to show us what we’re capable of sometimes. But I wasn’t in a race. As they do, my thoughts began to shift from the physical to life and to the spiritual.
I began to think about how important it is to have people that serve as examples in life. Not that we have to catch them, but just that they help show what is possible and just how capable we really are. They give us a direction to follow and a goal to chase. I’m reminded of the verse in 3 John that says “Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”
We need to be careful of who we’re looking up to as an example, but I believe God sends each of us some good ones. The Apostle Paul talked about being good examples for Christ. The Bible tells us repeatedly to be imitators of Christ, to follow his example and to meditate on good and noble things.
I think this all kind of falls under the same umbrella. There are people out there handling bad days well, doing good instead of evil and living as God wants them to. They are wonderful examples to follow. They serve as encouragement to me. They help give me direction and light the path I’m walking. I may never catch them, but I’m glad they’re out there marking the way for me. They are helping me figure out just how capable I am.
Look for these people in your own life. They can help you find your spark – even if they don’t know it. They’re out there, some closer than others. Use their good example of imitating Christ to see that it’s possible and that it makes a difference. You may not realize it, but someone is probably looking to you for the same thing. Let’s try and chase down good examples, and let’s set a better pace for those who are looking at us.
