"Rick says"

When I was a kid, I remember this goofy game we played. You probably played it, too. The object of the game was to perform goofy motions and then get the other participants to copy those goofy motions…as long as you said magic words first. You know what words they were. “Simon Says”. That’s right. Play along with me. Simon says, touch your toes. Simon says tug your ear.  Simon says jump up and down. Keep reading the rest of this sentence. Wait! Simon didn’t say! Gotcha. But I guess you’re going to keep reading. But that’s okay, because I actually want you to! 

 

I think back to that silly game that I know you probably still play with your kids, grandkids, or kids you babysit. These memories bring up a really interesting thought. Do we want people to mimic—to copy us? Because the truth is, whether we want them to or not, people will naturally copy the people that come before them.

 

Follow along with me for a moment. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “Do as I say, not as I do.” I’m so confused by this statement because it goes against everything we are naturally taught growing up. So, when we see someone “talk the talk, but not walk the walk”, it sparks a confusion inside of us. 

 

This is precisely why the Bible commands and calls us to live a life worthy to be imitated. To be copied. I know…heavy, weighty, overwhelming. Might I just give a few quick examples from Scripture and then help lighten the burden so you feel you can live a life worthy to be imitated: 

 

1 Corinthains 4:16, “I urge you to imitate me.” 

 

Hebrews 6:12, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” 

 

Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” 

 

Romans 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 

 

Philippians 3:17, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 

 

1 Timothy 4:12, “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. 

 

Titus 2:6-7, “Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity…” 

 

1 Peter 5:2-3, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 

 

Philippians 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me— put it into practice.” I know, tall task. But the Bible gives us this incredible responsibility (and might I add opportunity) to train up other Jesus-followers well. To love one another and to want to see them experience all that God has for them is an incredible task. So, what if you don’t feel up to it? What if you feel it is too hard of a task? Here are some things to think about. 

 

1. Paul didn’t feel he was adequate for the task either. He was a murderer and he felt he had completely disqualified himself, and yet he knew God was using him (1 Timothy 1:1516). He even felt that God’s immense patience with him was an example of how God can use anyone. Let that sink in. God’s patience with you is a reminder that God can use anyone! God can use you, despite you. Your story is one of God’s miraculous works and he wants you to share it with others. Don’t worry about your faults—everyone has them. 

 

2. We don’t set an example in our own strength. I think this is where we get tripped up. We know us, our inner struggles, our secret sins, and our deepest insecurities. This is why we don’t say, “follow me to follow me”, but rather “follow me to follow Christ”. If I’m honest, I feel very unqualified. But I don’t read anywhere in Scripture that says, “Perfection is required.” If that were the case, we’d never be able to learn from anyone. Why? You guessed it. Nobody’s perfect! So, we learn from Jesus first and take His light yoke and easy burden (Matthew 11:30). Don’t worry about your fears—everyone has them. 

 

3. We are simply called to love God and love others. As we live out the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31), it makes us want to instill the best of us in others. This is why Moses told the people to teach these things to their children everywhere they went (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). The idea of teaching the things of God to our kids isn’t foreign. We do it all the time. We teach them to play the sport we love, to take up the hobbies we love, and to do things we love. Why not share your faith and your love for Jesus with them and others? Why not use your spiritual gifts to build the Church of God? Simply put your faith into action every day. 

 

So, I guess Simon Says isn’t really a kid’s game after all. It’s a calling for you and me to imitate Christ and then for others to do likewise. It’s something we get to do. It isn’t a game, but it sure is fun! 

 

As I close, let’s go back to how this article began. But since my name isn’t Simon, let’s change the name of the game to Rick Says. So, Rick says, “Get out there and set an example for others to follow.” God bless you as you do so. You’ve got this.