Today’s message felt like it was written just for me. Have you ever experienced that? The sermon was based on 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1, and one question echoed in my mind long after I walked out of the sanctuary:

Am I living a life worthy of imitation?

That question isn’t asking whether I’m perfect, because I already know I’m not. It isn’t asking whether I have everything figured out or whether I never make mistakes, because the answers are “no” and “all the time.” It was asking me something much deeper.

If someone watched the way I lead, love, forgive, respond to disappointment, spend my time, treat strangers, handle conflict, or pursue God, would I want them to imitate me? Today, in this moment, the answer would be no.

Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” That made me wonder…am I pointing people toward Christ, or toward something else?

The pastor reminded us of one of my favorite promises in scripture:

“God is faithful… He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. But with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:13

I’ve always loved that verse because it shifts the focus from my strength, which is often lacking, to God’s faithfulness. God doesn’t promise temptation won’t come, because it will, and in ways we aren’t suspecting. He promises He’ll be there, always and that He provides the escape route. Am I paying enough attention to see that, though?

Pastor talked about the concept of a sterile cockpit, a rule that was passed after a plane crash in the 1970s. In aviation, during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing, pilots are prohibited from having unnecessary conversations or distractions. Every ounce of attention belongs on safely flying the airplane because the smallest distraction can have devastating consequences. Spiritually, we need sterile cockpit moments too.

How often do we try to give God our attention while simultaneously giving our hearts to our phones, our worries, social media, entertainment, politics, work, or whatever else is shouting the loudest that day?

We’re trying to hear God’s whisper while surrounding ourselves with noise (AKA sin). Maybe that’s why we struggle to recognize the escape route He’s already provided. Distraction doesn’t usually destroy us overnight, but rather gradually.

One compromise.

One neglected prayer.

One missed opportunity to listen.

One moment when something else becomes more important than the One who deserves our undivided attention. Eventually, we drift so far that we wonder how we got there.

The truth is, our lives are always influencing someone.

Our children are watching, regardless of their age. Our friends are watching. Our coworkers are watching. Even strangers notice how we respond when life doesn’t go our way. None of us will model Christ perfectly, but at the end of the day, that’s not the goal. The goal is to keep becoming more like Him and to recognize and take ownership to the fact that we’ve drifted. We’ve stopped taking the escape route He put in front of us when temptation comes. We’ve stopped removing those distractions that are competing for our hearts.

So tonight, I’m sitting with one simple question:

If someone chose to imitate my life today, where would it lead them?

That question doesn’t leave much room for excuses, but it does leave plenty of room for grace.

There’s comfort is knowing that God is faithful. He always has been and always will be, and if I’m being perfectly honest with myself and you, my life isn’t yet worthy of imitation. Tomorrow is another opportunity to do better.

If someone chose to imitate YOUR life today, where would it lead them?

Love. Give. Live.