Following The Pattern!

Not long ago my wife finished crocheting a baby blanket made of several rows of large teddy bears in the design. Her work amazes me because crocheting appears to me to be a fancy way of tying knots. However, though the knots I tie keep things secure, they never look as good as what my wife makes. Each of the teddy bears and the lines on the blanket between them ALL LOOK IDENTICAL. She has now started another blanket, and though she is not too far along, it is beginning to look just like the other one. How does she do it? She follows the same pattern. To depart from the pattern -- though a lot of time and energy might go into the project -- it will not look like it is supposed to.

The same is true regarding our life. If we do not keep our eyes on the RIGHT EXAMPLE of what our life is to be like, we will not be the kind of EXAMPLE others need as well.

In Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica, he stated. . .
"(6) And YOU BECAME IMITATORS OF US AND OF THE LORD, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that YOU BECAME AN EXAMPLE to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia." ( 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 ESV)

It was with great painstaking seriousness that Paul worked to see CHRIST FORMED in those whom he taught; even relating it to the pains of childbirth. ( Galatians 4:19) Keeping his own FOCUS ON CHRIST, he knew he could become a good example for others. It was the same for those whom he taught. With their eyes on the RIGHT EXAMPLE, the Christians at Thessalonica were able to become a suitable EXAMPLE for others; an EXAMPLE that was far reaching to the regions around them. Though that pattern was established about 2000 years ago, by keeping our FOCUS ON JESUS and modeling our life after Him, we too can become a good EXAMPLE for those around us. May we seek to live in a manner that the essence of Jesus is being seen.

Have a great day KEEPING THE PATTERN IN VIEW!
Carl

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