“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
– 1 Timothy 4:12
Life at Camp, Part 6.
Quote of the Week
“Will you be faithful in the position where God has placed you?”
Community hinges on the example we set. Last week, I shared my highlights about the camp community. I think we all realize that the people around us are important, yet moreover, you need to find the mission driving each person. If you have great people and a solid vision, great things can happen. If you have mediocre people or unclear expectations, things can fall through the cracks.
It’s easy to point out where others need to grow. I can quickly (and pridefully) compile a list of improvements that I want to see in everyone else’s lives. What’s harder is examining your life, asking God where you’re coming up short, then making changes for the greater good of those involved. Let’s see how that happens by looking at today’s topic…
Setting an Example
We all leave a mark on the lives of people we meet and spend time with. The question isn’t Are you making an impact on their life? Rather, it’s What kind of an impact are you making on their life? I want to pull you into Scripture now. We can learn lots from God’s Word.
Setting an Example in the Bible.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
– Proverbs 22:6
If you’ve read Proverbs, you’ll know Scripture emphasizes leaving a good example. I encourage you to search out the accounts of godly leaders. Think about Moses, who left a legacy for Joshua to follow, or Elijah, who paved the way for Elisha. You can steer clear of many of the Kings’ examples, including David, who did a poor job of passing their faith on to the next generation.
God’s Word reminds us that we are equipping our successors, our employees, and our children. Scripture isn’t just saying Train those around you, it’s commanding us to train others In the way they should go. Is that what we’re doing?
Setting an Example at Camp.
“Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.”
– Luke 6:40
While outlining this post, I didn’t feel God telling me to compile a master list of “10 Ways To Set A Godly Example”. I think I’ve done a respectful job of that in previous posts. If you’re looking for a hack to confirm you’re heading in the right direction, look for this: You should be seeing less of you, and more of Jesus (John 3:30). You should not be gaining more power or control; you should be surrendering control to Christ.
Today I want to share something God has been teaching me. I like to think I came into camp with the right motives. I wanted to know God better, to serve Him, to bless others, to do productive work for the camp, and so forth. I realize it’s impossible to do anything with perfectly unselfish motives, yet my heart’s desire was to serve God.
A couple of weeks into camp, a trickier question came up. See, I want to set a godly example. I want to reflect Jesus. I want others to look at me and see Christ working through me. I want their gaze to go straight through me and onto Jesus. So I asked a Christian leader in my life how to do that. How do I set an example that points others to Christ…without it becoming about me and what I’m doing?
As strange as it sounds, he used the illustration of a snail. A snail moves slowly towards its goal (like a Christian pursuing God), while leaving a trail for others to follow. The trail isn’t the goal or focus; rather, it’s a byproduct of the journey. Likewise, Christians can pursue God wholeheartedly, while leaving an example for others to follow.
Then he said this:
Living in a ministry setting like camp, it can easily look like the biggest personalities/loudest voices are most followed, liked or copied in the moment… But the greater impacts are often the quiet and unseen acts of surrender, submission, trust and obedience to Jesus!
To answer my question: We set a godly example when we stop seeking glory for ourselves, when we surrender our desires before the LORD, and when we acknowledge that His way is our way. I will never succeed as a Christian if I’m doing it for my glory. The word “succeed” in itself is a misnomer. True success is marked by the impact God has through you and within you, not the impact you make through your efforts.
Want to set a good example? Ask God to put your heart in the right place. Surrender your selfish intentions. Look to serve others instead of yourself. Let your desires fade as you become lesser while He becomes greater. As I prayed: “God…help me to fade.” Only when we fade can God shine through.
Practical Application.
Instead of beating around the bush with loose ideas, I want us to attack the heart. As servant leaders, we can do the right things, but if our heart isn’t in the right place – if we aren’t fully submitted to Christ and seeking to honour Him – our actions mean nothing. Paul says that even if he had every spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 13:1-3), without love, he would have nothing.
This is also a lesson in contentment. Am I willing to be happy in the position God has placed me, whether that’s where I think I belong or not? Am I trusting in Him or trusting in a title (or lack thereof)? Here are three application steps…
1. Do a heart check.
Before writing this post, I went through each of the Fruits of the Spirit. I journalled the ways I’d seen them in my life at camp, as well as growth steps. Then I confessed where I was falling short and asked God to give me the right motives. Our hearts need to be aligned with God’s will before we do anything.
2. Find your trail.
We’re all leaving a trail behind us, like snails. Ask God to show you what trail you’re leaving. Then ask whether you’re focused on the goal (knowing Christ), or the byproduct (the trail).
3. Measure your success.
I don’t mean this in the conventional way. I want you to evaluate how you define success. Is it based on an outcome, a system, or getting something done? Or is it based on your relationship with Jesus? This doesn’t only apply to camp; it applies to our entire life.
With that, I’m off to another camp supper. Next week, we’ll lock in on using our time wisely and discuss using the days and hours we have for God’s glory. If He’s been working in your life this summer, or even through this series, please leave a comment and let me know! Until then, for His glory, always.
As 1 Timothy 4:8 says…
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
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