“Do not imitate by accident. Choose your influences carefully.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 15, 2025
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7, NIV
When assessing the worthiness of the message someone is preaching, it’s always a good best practice to test the fruit! If someone says “money will make you happy,” look at those who have every material need met, yet remain discontented and purposeless, drifting aimlessly like a ship lost at sea. We’re told to “follow our hearts,” yet many who do so are restless and anxious, deceived by the confusing emotions that swirl about deep within us. “Be whoever you want to be” may sound inspiring, yet is often taken as license for pursuing your own success and fulfillment, no matter the cost, creating men and women who are consumed by self-love, rather than learning the liberating joy of giving their lives away in the name of love.
Hebrews 13:7 invites us to “consider the outcome” of the way of life of the Christian leaders the Lord has placed in our lives. Here, a steady stream of men and women rush through my mind in quick succession: my parents and in-laws, my first “real” boss, my mentor in seminary. On and on I could go, yet the thread that unites all of these mentors is not their success, wealth, status, or charisma. No, it is a “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), transcending situation or circumstance. It is a willingness to endure personal trial and pain with a contagious joy. It is an unwavering commitment to the truth of Jesus Christ and a love for him that is deeper and richer and wider than any other loyalty in their lives.
This is a picture of a life well lived and a life worthy of imitation. In truth, we all will imitate someone. We already do. Let’s not imitate by accident but instead choose our leaders and inspirations wisely and carefully, for their way of life will become our own. The question, then, is whether it is a way of life worthy of those who are made in the image of God and destined for eternity with him.
Prayer
Father, give us hearts that love what you love, and help us choose wise men and women who can inspire us toward the kingdom through their words and deeds, we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Consider the leaders in your life and the path that they are on. Do you like where it leads?
Related Reading
2 Timothy 3:10–11; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13; Hebrews 6:12
Worship Resource
Jon Guerra: Love Your Enemies
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