What To Admire In Someone

Alan was sitting at the table in the kitchen, looking out of the window. His mother noticed that he was in deep thought by the puzzled look on his face. Finally, she said, “Son, is there something I can help you with?” 

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Please, Mom. My teacher asked us to write a paper on ‘The Person I Admire Most,’ and I’m writing about you. So I have to think about it for a while. There is so much to write about.” 

Peter told us about the person he most admired. “Christ,” he wrote, “is our example. Follow His steps. He never sinned, and He never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, Who always judges fairly...He carried away our sins...in His own body... and He is the Shepherd whom we can follow.”  

Not only is Christ someone for us to admire, but as Peter said, “someone whose example we can follow.” Yet, even a casual look at the list of the qualities of Jesus is enough to cause us to feel as though He set the bar too high. It is more than we can handle.  

And, humanly speaking, that is true. Fortunately, however, the power of Christ is available to us so that if we choose to do so, we can live life as He did. Paul said, “... do all things through Christ.” That means that through Him, there is no room for retaliation, no room threats, no room for judging, and then become an example to those around us who need an example.  

Prayer:  Admiring You, Heavenly Father, is not enough. If we are genuinely Your disciples, we must not only admire You but serve You faithfully every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today:  For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.1 Peter 2:21-25