I was on a gruelling run recently and hit a point where I had to walk up a particularly steep incline. As I huffed and puffed my way up the hill I realised that I had changed my posture. I had clasped my hands behind my back as I slowly took step after step.
Walking in this way wouldn’t mean much to anyone else, but in an instant, I knew whose posture I had inadvertently mimicked. My late grandfather.
Growing up we were forced, sorry, I should say we were ‘encouraged’ to go on long weekend walks. Being the youngest, I was often near the back of the pack watching everyone stride on ahead and that’s where I saw, time and again, my grandfather comfortably clasp his hands behind his back as he happily strolled on.
When I realised how I was walking up that hill the other day, I was reminded of Psalm 145 verse 4 which tells us that , “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”
At no point in my life have I been told to walk holding my hands behind my back. Yet, witnessing those ahead of me, I had learnt their behaviour, their ways, and I had adopted their posture and made it my own. It made me wonder what example we’re setting when it comes to faith for the generations coming up behind us. As much as it is vital that we tell them of God’s works, His faithfulness, His love… we must also demonstrate what it is to live lives worthy of the gospel.
Like Paul wrote to the Corinthians in first Corinthians chapter 11 verse 1, we should be saying to the younger generations (whether literally younger, or younger in faith), “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Sometimes we need to see faith in action before we can exercise our own. It’s ‘follow the leader’ all over again.
How close are you to Jesus?
Can you copy him?
Will others see the family resemblance in not only your words, but your actions, too?
Commentaires