Adjust My Focus (Prayers of the Heart #2)

Have you attended an event where, in addition to being live on the stage or platform, the speaker is shown on large screens?  This is how it is at our church.  As a member of the tech team, I have had the opportunity to operate a camera and many opportunities to hear the director giving cues to the regular camera operators.  The primary requirements of a good camera shot, is proper focus and view.  The person or object on the screen must be both sharp and centered.  This is also true of our hearts.  We must keep our hearts centered and focused on God and His plan for us.

To set the focus for a shot, you zoom in and focus on the center point.   When this is a person, you zoom in to a close up of the face.  Here you fine tune for the sharpest, clearest image you can obtain.  Then you zoom back out to capture the entire scene that will be on screen.  This can remain fairly tight and just capture that person, or it can also be a wider shot that includes other people and objects.

The same principles are true in the Word of God.   Throughout the Bible we are told to seek God.  “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.”(Isaiah 55:6 NLT)    As we go about our daily lives we must focus on the face, the character, of God and His plan for our lives.  Keeping our focus on who God is, His love and faithfulness, will put everything else in our lives into proper perspective.  It will keep the whole picture of our lives in focus.  This comes by hearing, reading and truly believing the Word of God. 

Once you have set the focus on your shot, you are ready to go.  As you change scenes, the focus often remains intact.  Periodically you will hear the direction to adjust the focus because the shot is “a little soft”.  It is a little fuzzy.  Sometimes a minute adjustment can sharpen the image.  At other times the director may instruct you to zoom in and reset the focus.  The image may appear to be just fine in the cameraman’s monitor, but the director is viewing a larger, more accurate preview screen.  He sees the shot more clearly, plus he sees the other camera views and the script.  He is also considering the other aspects that go along with the camera shots.  These include lighting, shading and graphics. He sees what all of the team members are doing and he knows what is coming next. He has the plan.

We must live our lives centered on the character of God. His character does not change, but the scenes of our lives will.  As circumstances change, we may get just a little fuzzy on the character of our all loving, all knowing, faithful God.  Subtle doubts or questions can get us just a little off without our even realizing it.  When these times come, it is so important to focus our ears on His voice. The tech team members wear headphones that enable us to hear the director and each other.  Our spirits can hear the voice of the Spirit of God.  Then we must let Him be the director of our lives.  Only God sees the entire picture.  Only He knows the script, both for our individual lives and for all of eternity.  He sees the lives of everyone around us, the parts they are playing, and He knows just how everyone’s role will fit together. Listen to this voice and keep sharp on God’s character. Like the psalmist let your heart say, “I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].”(Psalm 5:3b AMP)

All of these adjustments go on off screen.  While one cameraman is making needed adjustments, another camera is being viewed.  God often works behind the scenes in our lives.  He calls us aside and privately leads us in character adjustments without exposing our flaws to everyone around us.  If we are quick to change we can continue on without anyone ever being aware of the process.  “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: 

Today, if you will hear His voice,  Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:7-8a AMP)  If we fail to adjust, we may miss out on an opportunity God intended for us at that time.  There will be other opportunities, once we get in proper focus.  Our best action is to focus as directed and wait patiently for the director to use us. 

Remember, the director is responsible for the final outcome.  Follow his directions, whether you understand or agree with them.  Then you will be a part of something bigger and better than you were even aware was happening.  Leave the results up to him.  God is also responsible for working out His plan.  Follow His lead and make the adjustments He requires.  Then you will be a part of a beautiful project; far greater than you realized was going on. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

I Need a New Heart, Please (Prayers of the Heart #1)

Last week I purchased a wireless mouse for my computer. I was unable to make the mouse work. I took it out of the package and did everything the instructions said, but something was still wrong. I tried re-doing the batteries in the opposite order. I tried clicking every button on the mouse in various sequences. I tried turning it on and off and on again. Although the light of the optical eye would come on, it would not stay on and enable the mouse to work.

Acknowledging that I’m not extremely techy, I decided to let my husband have a look at it. He confirmed that it was defective and did not work. At this point, I acknowledged that I would have to exchange this mouse for a new one that would operate as intended. The old one was broken, plain and simple. I could not improve it. It could not be fixed.  Although it looked perfectly fine, what really mattered was that it did not work.

My only choice was to return to the store and exchange this defective mouse for a new, functional mouse. I needed a mouse that came from the manufacturer correctly assembled and ready to operate as intended. I needed a replacement.

Our hearts are very much like this defective mouse. We are born into this world with defective hearts.  ^“As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10 AMP)  Not even one person came into this world with a heart seeking to serve and obey God and truly love others.  ^“The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?” (Jeremiah 17:9 AMP)  We are born with the sin nature.  We are born sick.

So we come into this world with a sick heart. And what do we try to do first, but fix it ourselves. We may try being good or outdoing our neighbor. But all of our efforts will not fix the heart. We may then turn to someone else who we think can fix us. This may be a friend or a counselor. Although they may provide some good advice concerning life’s situations, they cannot fix our sin-sick heart. Just as my husband, who knows far more about computers than I do, could not fix my mouse, no one in this world can fix our hearts.

We have only one choice. We need to return to the manufacturer. We need to go to the creator of hearts and giver of life, God Himself. Only he can exchange our sin sick hearts for new, healthy, life-filled hearts. And He promises us that He will. “ A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27AMP) I love that imagery. A hard, cold stone heart is replaced by a warm, soft, living heart of flesh.  And we know that when God says He will do something that He will.

So if you have never taken your heart to Lord and asked him for a new one, I encourage you to do that today. All I had to do with my mouse was take it back to the store and explain that it did not work. They took the old one and gave me one that works just perfectly. Many years ago, I did the same thing with my heart.  I cried out to God, admitting that I could not love, or even live my life, without a new heart. Since that day my life has been transformed.  I am continually growing and learning new ways to use this soft heart.

Take your broken, sick heart and hand it to Jesus.  Admit that it is broke and you cannot fix it. He will replace it with a brand-new, perfect heart.  This heart comes at no charge! “For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the  of God;  Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]” (Ephesians 2:8-9 AMP)  This new heart will operate as the creator intended it. You will have the capacity to love like He loves as you grow in knowledge of that love. Enjoy your new heart and your new life.

(If you take your broken heart to God and ask for a new heart, tell someone who also knows Him.  Allow them to help you begin to know all that walking with this new love will entail.)

The Great Traveling Companion

For two summers during college, I lived and worked in Yellowstone Park.  While there I had the opportunity to go on many hikes.  Though I enjoyed the hiking and sightseeing, I never did become a skilled back country person.  I stuck mostly to easier hikes, but did endeavor a few steeper climbs.
One such climb has stuck with me all these years.  Four of us had taken our days off and gone north to Glacier National Park.  Mary, a friend of mine, was working that summer in Glacier at a lodge that was set back and required hiking into.  A girl whose room was across the hall from mine had gotten to know Mary the previous summer when she had worked at Yellowstone.  We thought it would be fun to drive up and surprise her.
We arrived at the lot where we would leave the car and backpack in.  There were two paths that could be taken to the lodge.  One was a scenic path with switchbacks and a gentle climb.  The other was more direct and therefore steeper.  One of the members of our group, Lavonne, wanted to take the steeper path.  I looked at the map and thought the elevation change of 1000 feet in the distance of the path was challenging, but not horrible.  I said I would do it.  Later, I realized that I had misread the map.  The climb was actually 2000 feet in that distance.  That wasn’t challenging, but to a novice hiker, it was insane.  Little did I realize what was ahead for me, both physically and spiritually.
As the climb began, we chatted until I became too winded to walk and talk comfortably.  During this time Lavonne gave me encouraging words and took as many breaks as I needed.  As we climbed farther and the heat of the day increased, Lavonne took my backpack and carried it for me.  She was so helpful and encouraging.  A Montana native, she could probably have jogged up that path.   Yet she paced herself with me and stayed right by my side.
About 2/3 the way up, I began to despair that I would even make it to the top.  I then began to doubt that Mary would even be there when I arrived.  We had planned this as a surprise after all.  In only a few moments we heard voices of a group coming down the path.  It was actually Mary and some of her coworkers going to get supplies.  When she returned she would have the rest of the day off.  I now, not only knew she would be here, but that she would have time to spend with us.
I was a bit energized, but that last portion of the climb was about to do me in.  This trail had been way above my endurance level.  When I believed I could not take another step, I felt Lavonne’s hands as she came up behind and literally pushed me the final distance.  We had been so close to the top and I had been so close to quitting and collapsing right there.  But then we rounded the crest and I saw a spectacular view.  It was truly breathtaking.  We both paused to take it in. After a few minutes appreciating God’s creative beauty, I saw another beautiful sight.  The path to the lodge sloped gently downward from where we stood.
During this climb the Lord spoke to me about the life I would walk with Him. He wanted to be my lifelong traveling companion. I knew in my heart that what I was seeing in Lavonne was a picture of His care for me.  He would offer encouragement and travel at my speed, but never let me stay too long in one spot.  He will carry the load when I cannot.  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.” (Matthew 11:28 AMP) 

When we begin to lose hope, God sends little promises of our end result.  These can come from many sources including the Word, a song, an event or other people. “A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11 AMP)  This speaks of a beautiful gift, just like hearing Mary’s voice that day was for me.  These little reminders are always precious gifts when we find them. 

When I truly felt like I was going to collapse, I asked the Lord just how far He would go to help me.  It was at that very moment that I felt the hands on my back pushing me forward.  He will be faithful for whatever you need.  He will push you over the top when necessary.  Then He will step back and watch you, His precious child, as you view the vista ahead.  He may even throw in a gentle downward slope to that restful lodge.

No one was aware of what truly happened to me that day.  Even Lavonne was amazed when I later related the lessons God taught me through her.  I believe that she was listening to Him as she went about that hike and helped me as exactly as He led her too.  Listen to God as you walk through your day.  You may be the person He uses to bring His encouragement, carry a load or even push a brother or sister up the final steps of their struggle.
Do you sometimes feel like the lowland, city girl who is trying a tough climb in high elevation air?  Does that gentle slope of the scenic path sound real good to you?   Do you ever feel like you misread the map and may not have signed up for this Christian life if you had known what lie ahead?  Be sure you know who your travel companion in this life will be.  There will be times when the path is steep and difficult.  Jesus will get you to the top by whatever means necessary.  There will also be times when the road has a gentler incline and there He will walk beside you.  He will converse with you as you share the beautiful views of all that he has made and planned.  And when you feel like you have agreed to something far beyond what you bargained for, He will show you that with Him you can accomplish immeasurably more that you ever dreamed possible.
By the way, we had a great visit with Mary.  The following day we took that same path down to the parking lot. What had taken several hours to climb the previous day, took less than twenty minutes to descend.  It was actually difficult to slow the pace enough to not topple forward from running too fast.  Our other two companions were astounded that we had hiked up that path.  No one was more amazed than me.

More Than A Magic Carpet Ride

“Do you trust me?”  Aladdin speaks these words to Princess Jasmine as she ponders getting on the magic carpet.  She decides to take the chance and steps on.   In the Disney movie, the song, ‘A Whole New World’ plays as the princess discovers all the wonders of the kingdom. This kingdom already belongs to her by her royal birth, but she has been sheltered within the palace. She has crept out in secret before, but only caught small glimpses of the outside world. She has no idea all that is actually hers, simply because of who she is.  She is the daughter of the sultan who rules this kingdom.  She is his heir.

Followers of Jesus Christ are called children of God and heirs of a heavenly kingdom.  “And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.”  (Romans 8:17 AMP)  Many opportunities and benefits are available to us as heirs.  We find these in the Word of God.  Yet many Christians never step out into what God has planned. We may venture out for a taste of that plan, but don’t fully step out.

 I am reminded of Peter, sitting fearfully in a boat on a stormy sea. Then he sees Jesus out on the water.   “And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.  He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:28-29)  He was unhappy in that boat, which was being tossed around.  He heard the invitation of Jesus and responded. 

 Jasmine did not step out because flying carpets were known to be safe modes of transportation.  Peter did not step out of the boat because stormy seas had been proven to support a man’s weight.  When analyzed by previous their experiences, stepping out did not make sense.  They both stepped out because they knew and trusted the one who was inviting them to come along.

 Do you know and trust the one who calls to you?  He is trustworthy. “God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9AMP)  He can be counted on to fulfill every promise he has made.  Jesus is always a faithful companion.

The Lord desires to show you what He has in store for you.   ^“Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” (Jeremiah 33:3NLT)  Ask Him.  Then as He reveals these things, you can begin to walk with Him as you experience them.  The magic carpet provided a great view of the kingdom.  But Jasmine had to step off the carpet to experience what was hers.  You can enjoy the view that God’s promise provides, but to experience what you have in Christ, you have to take a step in the direction of the promise.  Only then can you walk out the plan you are called to.  He promises to be with you every step.  “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18b AMP)

So what are some ways the Spirit of God is calling you to step out?  What dreams of your heart have yet to be explored?  These can be small or large. It can be a baby step of obedience that doesn’t seem to make sense.  It could be changing the entire path your life is on. It can be reviving a dream you thought was lost. It can be a multitude of things somewhere in between. 

 Making a commitment to write three stories a week for this blog took stepping out.  It had nothing to do with confidence in my creative abilities.  Reviving my dream to write, was not something that I had even considered at this stage of my life.  Yet, here I am, with an assurance that these story ideas are coming from God, and that He wants me to share them.  The challenge still seems a bit daunting. (I asked repeatedly if three stories a week was really His plan and never felt differently.)  So I will trust His faithfulness to provide. I will continue to write as He leads.  Without a doubt, responding with trust to this call has brought joy and satisfaction.

 So Jesus poses the question to you each day.  “Do you trust me?”  Take His hand.  See, trust and walk in all He has for you.

I Want To Be Jesus’ Girl!

Recently, one line from a 1962 song (the only line I knew) came to mind.  “I want to be Bobby’s girl” kept replaying in my mind.  Images of plaid skirts, pedal pushers, white tennis shoes and letter sweaters came to mind.  As that line continued to replay in my mind, the words suddenly changed to “I want to be Jesus’ girl” It seemed rather funny; even irreverent. But then, as I pondered the words, the imagery actually made sense. 
The symbols of going steady in the 60’s included letter sweaters and class rings.  The dream of a young girl was to be cherished by someone who would love her forever and even die for her.  We have those same things with Jesus and so much more.

Letter sweaters or jackets were symbols of accomplishment for the young man who had earned them.  He then, proudly gave it to the young woman he cared for.  This let everyone know his feelings.  When we come to Jesus, He gives us His robe of righteousness.  His sinless life earned the only path to salvation.  He has made that available to all who choose Him.  Jesus proclaimed in the Synagogue that He has fulfilled the prophetic passage of Isaiah 61, Among other purposes for His ministry is to provide “the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—“  (v.3)  Then, like Isaiah we can say, “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 AMP)  Although the physical eye cannot see this robe, we wear His robe daily.

The class ring was worn proudly on the left hand. (with the assistance of angora yarn to accommodate the size difference)  Although she may not have the size or strength of the ring’s owner, she had access to him.  Throughout Scripture, we see a signet ring representing the authority of the owner.  Pharaoh gave his to Joseph, who then had rule over all the land of Egypt.  Jesus has been given all authority. “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18 NLT)  His authority is demonstrated in His name, which He has given us the privilege to use.  We are told to pray in His name, fight the enemy in His name and make disciples in His name.  This is an amazing privilege that Jesus has given to His betrothed.
The dream of being cherished forever can only be fulfilled by Jesus, because He offers us eternity.  He not only would die for us, but He has died for us.  It was by that death of Jesus that we have been invited to live forever.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT)  Jesus died to pay the penalty of death and offers us this gift of life.  In addition to the forever definition of eternal, I found many other synonyms, including boundless, enduring, immutable, and indestructible.  These all describe a full life.  That’s what we have; a full life, forever with Jesus.
As I began to write this, I read the lyrics to the original song.  It was a bit sad because the singer was a girl longing for a position held by someone else.  If only Bobby would choose her.  Well my friend, Jesus has chosen you, and He has chosen me.  His heart and His life are big enough for all of us.  He sees us where we are and extends the invitation every day.
I love the last 2 stanzas of the song.  I just want to make one simple change.

I want to be Bobby's girl
I want to be Bobby's girl,
That's the most important thing to me...

And if I was Bobby's girl,
If I was Bobby's girl,
What a faithful, thankful girl I'd be..                           

What a faithful, thankful girl I'd be. 

Since I am Jesus’ girl                                         

Since I am Jesus’ girl                                                

That's the most important thing to me

And since I am Jesus’ girl                                              

Since I am Jesus’ girl                                                  

What a faithful, thankful girl I'll be.                             

What a faithful, thankful girl I'll be.   

Look Intently and Forget?

One morning, as I was preparing my coffee, getting the dog’s breakfast and putting a few dishes into the dishwasher, I checked my blood sugar. Multitasking this way, I did not pay attention to the result. I went from the kitchen to my corner of the couch and began to read. Soon I began to feel a little shaky as if my blood sugar was low. By now I had forgotten that I had even checked it. I went back to the monitor and was again preparing to prick my finger. Only then did I think that I had possibly done this already.
Looking at my pump, I verified that I had checked 45 minutes earlier and my blood sugar had been on the low end of normal. A small dip had led to the symptoms that I was now experiencing. How silly of me to let busyness distract me from the result.  I had gone through the motions but never really of checked my blood sugar level.
As I laughed at myself for this, (and treated the low) I thought of a Scripture in James.  ^“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”  (James 1:22-24 NIV)  I have done this as well. I may not intently examine my hair and face when in the restroom, but I do a quick check. I find myself walking back to my desk wondering what I actually saw. It must be okay. A major flaw, spot or spill would have caught my attention.
What have you looked at in the Word and thought “That is really good!” only to forget it by the next day?  Have you heard a good message but, by the time lunch was over, you do not even remember the topic? These occur more often than we would like. If we don’t put what we have heard to work in our life right away, we often lose what we have heard.  I could be asked that same evening, what a message was about.   My response would have to be, “I don’t remember, but it was really good!”
The key here is to do what the Word says.  These are some steps that I’ve found to help move the message from our ears to our hands and feet.
Plan before you start.  Before I even begin to read the Word or listen to a teaching.  I plan, on purpose, to receive something from God and put it into practice.  I want to have what Jesus called ‘hearing ears.’ “And He said, He who has ears to hear, let him be hearing [and let him consider, and comprehend].” (Mark 4:9 AMP)  So I ask for them.  I also commit beforehand to obey what I hear by the Spirit of God.   Setting my attitude in advance changes my perspective.  There is no room to evaluate God’s directions and choosing if I want to follow them.
In order to make this plan work, I have to apply what I hear to myself.  I cannot say, “I wish so and so could hear this.”  I am hearing this, and God has something in it for me.  I’ve already determined to obey, (step 1) so I will.  Also, to avoid hypocrisy in times when I do share with others, I must be really careful to have first applied the lessons in my own life.  “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?   How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”  (Luke 6:41-42 NLT)
Am I quick to do what I hear or see the Father doing.  Do I give someone a kind word as soon as it pops into my head? (Even if they weren’t nice to me, yesterday?)  Do I throw out my plan in order to help someone God puts in my path?  All of these require a decision to obey quickly. Even when now and here may not be the proper time and place to act, I can again be proactive. I can jot down a plan of at least the first step.  5 am may not be the appropriate time to call someone, but I am ready to do it quickly later when the time is right.  Leaving a service may be disruptive, but I can make a ‘note to self’ and obey that same day. 
I have to admit, that I often fall short, even with these steps in mind.  But God is gracious and another opportunity will arise for me to be a doer of the Word.  Paying attention to my monitor and grabbing a piece of fruit would have prevented the low blood sugar from occurring. Paying attention and to, and acting on God’s Word, will also prevent many future difficulties from occurring.  It will also bring many joys.
Avoid this vanishing memory syndrome.  Ask yourself these three questions daily.  Have I set a plan to hear from God and obey what I hear?  Do I apply the truth I hear to me, not everyone else I know?  Am I quick to do all that hear?  Then go out and live the life God has planned for you.

To Imitate or To Be Imitated

Children love to imitate. They will spend hours playing and pretending to be grownups.  With or without costumes, you will see you will see little ones acting as police officers, firemen, nurses or a host of others.  They will imitate conversations they have overheard and behaviors they have observed. These come from many sources including television, classroom settings and frequently the home.
 Have you ever seen a younger brother tagging along, trying to do everything his older brother does?  Not only does he want to do everything, but also to do it in the exact same way.  He will copy the elder sibling’s stance, gate, facial expressions and even voice patterns.  The same can be said for little girls and their older sisters. As a young girl, I tried to be just like my older brothers.  (This did not go over to well with my parents.  After four boys, they finally had a girl and wanted pink bows and lace.)
The term Christian means to be a little Christ. Jesus did only and all of what he saw his Father doing.  “Jesus explained, ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.’” (John 5:19 NLT) We can find what the Father is doing by reading the word, praying and presenting ourselves ready to obey. Then, when God places opportunities in our path, we are actively looking for them and ready respond.  These may be simple acts of kindness or may entail totally changing our plans for the day.  Watch God and do as He does.
If you are new in your walk with Jesus, putting this into practice may be challenging. Following another instruction from the Word will help.  “…but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  (Hebrews 6:12b ESV)  Often as I begin a new phase of what God has for me, I watch the life of someone I respect who is already there.  Sometimes this occurs from afar and the other person is not even aware I am watching.  At other times, it is more active, such as a mentoring relationship.  In these cases, I may ask questions and get feedback from the person I am imitating.  In either case, I have been guided to what God called me to, by initially following someone who was the type of person I wanted to become.  The end result was shared character traits, with separate personalities and style.
Once you are maturing in God, Paul has more encouragement. “Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).” (1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP)  After a time of following Christ, you may become the mentor.  Even if you do not actively pursue a relationship to help someone grow in their faith, you may be being watched.  Live your life in a way that those who follow you example, are following the example of Jesus.  (Paul was not perfect. Neither am I or anyone you may respect. There is mercy and grace for us all.)
In the above scenario of sibling emulation, all too often, the older sibling just wants to be left alone.  At other times there is a source of pride that he is being copied, even if he won’t admit it.  This may in part be due to concerns about his behavior.  What about your behavior?  Will you be like the child who cries “Stop copying me!”?  Or will you stand with confidence and like Paul boldly say “[follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).” Avoid the temptation of forcing someone to follow your lead, but live an example they will want to follow.

Follow the example of Jesus.  Learn from others and imitate those who follow the example of Jesus.  Become someone worthy to follow as you imitate and follow Jesus.