Set the Example

Did you ever see the movie Monsters, Inc? There is a character who always seems to pop and see what’s going on. She’s famous for saying throughout the movie that she was “watching… Always watching.” And though it was a funny bit for the film, don’t we feel that way sometimes- that someone is always watching? Someone out there is just waiting for us to mess up? On a bigger scale, as Christians, doesn’t it feel that the world is watching? It can be exhausting.

I believe Timothy felt that way as he set out to pastor his first church. He was young, inexperienced, and walking into a more seasoned arena. It can be intimidating to navigate. But Paul, who was Timothy’s mentor, understood what he may be feeling and gave him this encouragement. Paul said to not let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity (1 Timothy 4:12 NLT).

The example of Timothy’s life would speak volumes. More than the words he used. It was the example he saw first lived out in the life of Paul. And it’s the call on every follower of Jesus today. To live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:12 NIV).

We aren’t perfect. But the lives we lead, the decisions we make, and the power of our example will speak louder than the words we use at times. As the emerging generations look to the elders before them, what is the example that they see? What’s the example that our lives reveal?