It started with one neighbor.
Then the next.
Then the next.
That one was me. I couldn’t help it. I had to. They were doing it, so why shouldn’t I?
Are you wondering yet what it was?
Powerwashing!
I couldn’t help but laugh last weekend when three houses in a row, ours included, all were powerwashing the grime from our patios, fences, and decks. The kicker was when the fourth neighbor got out theirs to join the powerwashing club.
The ‘keeping up with the Joneses” mentality was strong that day!
Have you ever done that? Not the powerwashing, but doing something just because someone else was doing it? I know you have! I certainly have…
But what if that’s not necessarily a bad thing?
In truth, we have the best neighbors and what happened that day wasn’t actually a “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality, but more of seeing something be done that was good and wanting to do it as well.
When have you done something because you saw the result was good when someone else did it?
It can be all sorts of things – you saw how someone started working out and is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and that makes you decide to start working out as well; you see how a friend handled a parenting situation in a gospel centered way and you want to do the same; you hear how someone at church forgives another and it causes you to forgive when you are sinned against; you see how your parents tenderly care for each other as they age and it makes you do the same with your spouse.
Doing something because someone else is doing it isn’t always a bad thing.
The apostle Paul tells his readers several times throughout scripture to do as he does. This wasn’t him boasting about how amazing he was, it was him pleading with people to follow Christ. Paul knew that the absolute best thing he could do with his life was to know and walk with God.
And he wanted the same for others.
Friend, I want the same for you.
My kids have heard me say it hundreds of times, the best and most wonderful life possible is when you follow Jesus. You won’t regret it for a second.
So I ask you today, who are you watching? Who are you emulating? What are you learning from them? Are they spurring you on towards Christ or are they leading you somewhere different?
Are you spurring others on towards Christ? You’ve heard me say it before, we are all leading someone. Are you leading them in a worthy pursuit of Christ or a meaningless pursuit of worldly things?
My hope is that you will see others who are mature in their relationship with Christ and that you will be courageous and ask them what they are doing to seek Christ in their everyday life. And then I hope you will do it!
It’s ok to do what they are doing as long as it brings you closer to Christ.
Learn from one another.
Spur one another on towards Christ.
Just keep going in love.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” Hebrews 10:24.
God, you are our most worthwhile pursuit. May we spur each other on towards you.
