1 Peter 5:2-3 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
While this directive by Peter is meant towards Elders in the church the principles can be applied to anywhere you are called to lead. In the home I have seen this the most. My five year old Caleb is all into being as much like me as possible. He wants his hair cut like mine, he wants to dress like me, and do the things that I do. It is very flattering but it can have it’s down side. On Sunday when he was getting ready for church (dressing like me) he put all of his clothes on an then looked at my wife, Jennifer, and said “Oh no!, Where’s my phone?” It seems he thinks that my phone is part of my wardrobe.
It also showed me how closely he was watching. Is my example that my phone is so important to me that he thinks it is part of me? It is amazing the things that out children pick up from us but it is a good lesson on how closely people are watching who we lead. We must set an example. We set that example by being hard working, honest, and a role model in how to act. In contrast we are not to be lazy, greedy, dishonest, or controlling. The example we set will have ramifications for a long time. We all have been in situations where we worked for a difficult boss. It destroys morale and promotes dishonesty.
As Christians we are called to be examples in our walk with Christ. Do people know that you are a Christian? If so they are watching you. What are they seeing? Are they seeing compromise and complacency or are they witnessing love, truth, and grace. When we are a Godly example we experience backlash for what we believe but in the end it all work out. When we stand before Christ our actions will be rewarded. Be a good example.
Pastor Chuck
