Footprints not Blueprints

Footprints not Blueprints

“Copy me” is a popular game with my daughters.  One of us says something, then the others say the same thing, we then do a bit of “are you copying me?” backwards and forwards.  As well as what is being said it extends to crazy accents (their versions of my rubbish “Italian” accent are hilarious), gestures, laughter, and funny walks then follow . . . it goes on until one us has had enough (I usually find I am still gooning around when they have long wondered off to do something else with an, “ok, dad it was funny . . . but”!).

We are encouraged in scripture to be “imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:11). The word “imitator” used there is where we get the word “mimic” but, it is also interchangeable in Paul’s use with the word “follower” or “example.” A follower is someone who imitates Christ.

Paul says this, “Follow me, as I follow Christ” at the start of 1 Corinthians 11.  You and I could read that and think, “yeah, right Paul – who do you think you are?”  It sounds pretty arrogant to us.  Or we could read that and think, “It’s alright for you, you’re in the Bible – you’re an apostle!”  It sounds pretty impossible to us.  Or we could read that and think, “Whatever, I’ve been trying to do that – it’s a waste of time.”  It sounds pretty pointless to us.

Wherever we are at personally, or wherever and however we are trying to do youth ministry, we are all called to be followers and imitators of God.

I am encouraged to think that Paul is including me in what he says by something else he says, “I am the worst of sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16), now you could read that and think, “Paul, you do overreact mate.” Or you could read that and think, “No, I am the worst of sinners.” (In a kind of weird “no, I’m Spartacus” let me take a bullet for the team, woe is me kind of thing).

However, we need to put those two statements from Paul together for a moment.  “Follow me . . . I am the worst of sinners.”  I need to get this into my own Spirit and Soul and Mind and Thought Life and my Whole Being!  Paul is saying, “If I can follow Christ, then anyone can.”

Back in that first verse I mentioned from Ephesians 5 “be imitators of God . . . we can miss the how which comes straight after it.  Just a few words, so simple, elegant and true.  Without a pause for breath, Paul then says, “as dearly loved children” (so, first we need to know and never forget we are loved!  We are so loved!  In this life we will never get a handle on just how much!)  Then Paul says, “walk in love” – that is it, the beauty and the simplicity of being a disciple.  This is God’s example to us in Christ; this is the how of discipleship.

We will be so much more effective in our discipleship of young people if we “walk in love” rather than “talk about love”.  Our walking not our talking is what counts.

At Youthwork the Conference this year, we will be watching and listening and learning from the walks of others. These imitators, these followers, these examples, these people just like us.  As we walk we leave a set of footprints, we leave our mark.  Where are you walking?  Who is journeying with you?  Who are you inspired to follow (as they follow Christ), who is watching you?  Who is following you on the way?

The early Christian’s were known as “followers of the Way” – Paul, mentions it himself in Acts 24.  It means a way, a path, a journey.  We can’t just teach others “the way” by telling them about it, we  have walk it, we can’t just point out the path, we have to be on it ourselves!

Our prayer, as we come together for Youthwork the Conference is that we would go on a journey, take a step, make a move, and get walking in the way of love.  That each of us might know and understand the path we are on and as we look behind and around us, may we see tens of thousands of young people joining us, may we be inspired by the thousands of young people who are already walking ahead of us, may we see those who long to find the path – by God’s grace we are on.  May we also hear, and be encouraged by the words from Isaiah in these exciting but challenging times (and may they be words of prophecy to us and for us):

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

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Ali Campbell is adviser for work with children and young people in the Diocese of Chichester.  He has been involved in children’s and youth work in a variety of ways for 25 years.