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"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul
It was 0-two-hundred hours (2 AM) and my cousin and I were performing some exercises in spy techniques in the event that we may be called
to war, AKA play guns, with the neighbors the next day.
“A car’s coming, get down!”
“I don’t want to. It’s wet!”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Then lay flat on your stomach. I know it’s wet, but don’t worry about it. Your clothes can get dirty.”
He swiftly threw himself to the ground, despite the late night dew that had settled onto the blades of grass, so that the passing car wouldn’t see him. The rest of the night was spent sneaking around, jumping my fences, climbing trees, practicing silent walking techniques, and the like. It was a fun night of bonding and practice for the next day. I knew my neighbors’ battle style. We prepared and when the sun rose and its beams shone brightly upon the landscape, we slept until 0-twelve-hundred hours.
That’s when the brigade of bandits began to call and warn us of their coming. They were my friends, but on that day we went to war. My military unit was composed of myself, my cousin, Josh, and some dummies we had set up for distraction purposes. The enemy unit was Brett, Brandon and
Trevor.
Each of us had developed certain skills in the area of warfare. Brett had a device that his father sometimes used to help the police when he
was a camera man for COPS, the TV show. It allowed him to hear the enemy coming or talking. Brandon and Trevor were very athletic. Their skills were sprinting, throwing grenades within a foot of its target, jumping over tall bushes in mid-sprint and the like.
Josh was an excellent marksman. Even though you needn’t be when we went to war because there was nothing coming out of your M-16 carbine except what your imagination told you. I was creative. If I found myself alone and surrounded, I’d slide into the pool without making any noise, turn over a raft and breathe in the cup holder holes. Moving from hole to hole, I could survive a good twenty to twenty-five minutes without ever coming up for air.
My cousin hadn’t developed his skills yet. We didn’t even know what they were because this was his first time in war. However, I had recognized how I could have an impact on him and help him to develop his skills. I noticed that in the months just before he had started to wear the same kinds of clothes as me. I’d see him at church and he’d be wearing what I wore the previous week.
Upon this realization there came a flood of ideas. I knew I had influence over him. What should I do with this authority and respect he has bestowed upon me? I decided to be a mentor to him. From then on, I was his role model.
To this day, I am a huge influence on his life. I go to his band concerts and practices when I can. I hang out with him when I am home and we email often. He wants my advice a lot. But the main way I’ve had an impact on his life is simply by being an example. He watched me grow up a few years older than him and he has seen my life. That has been my biggest influence.
Everyone has someone that looks up to them. It could be a small child or your best friend. Nevertheless and in contrast to what some professional sports players say, you do have a responsibility to the people who look up to you. You are their chosen role model. Everyone has them, whether
you are aware or not. As Christians and college students, our biggest “little brothers and sisters” who look up to us are the junior and senior high school students. If we were intentional in how we acted as mentors and interacted with them, we might actually make a difference in their lives.
Paul sets an example for us on how to be a Christian example to those who look up to us. He wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example
of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Take notice of those younger students, especially, those who look up to you. Don’t glaze over them looking for your
college buddies at Church. Look at them and talk to them. They are a vital part of the church. Be the example by being like Christ.
Micah J. Foster is a Religion and Creative Writing major at Pepperdine University. He is also in Won By One, the a cappella singing group from Pepperdine. His career goal is to be a youth minister when he graduates.
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