Philippians 3:15-21 Footprints

Philippians 3:15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.  20 But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

 Paul warned the Philippians about those robe-dressed, ritual-observing, glory-seeking guys whose destiny is destruction.  He told the church how to spot the difference... "take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you".   Take a look around (v17)  ... watch long enough and you'll spot the 'real deal'....follow their lead and mine'.

When my husband worked a night shift in the Winter, I'd often walk in the snow with the kids to a local convenience store for some kind of 'treat', to get out of the house and break the monotony (ok and maybe to get me some Haagendaz).  The snow was often too deep for Tricia so I would tell her to 'walk in my footprints' ... ya know, the holes I made where I had already walked, so it would be easier for her.   We need to find people whose footprints we can walk in and 'follow their example'.

Look closely... Are they devoted to the 'body' of Christ?  Do they honor God when times are rough?  Do they complain or get offended easily? Are they 'real' or do they always seem like they're trying to be 'on'? Find someone who doesn't think 'they have attained' but is pressing toward the goal. The givers... the doers...the encouragers.. the ones who hold His word in higher regard than worldly philosophies or TV preachers. They set the bar. They establish the pattern.

They likely won't look like you or be in your age bracket. Don't know where to start? Join a Bible study... a small group, or sign up to serve in ministry somewhere.... that's where you'll find them... gathered around God's word with His people.    And Read. The. Book. ... where you'll find the "pattern" Paul gave us to live by.

Find good footprints to follow.... like Timothy... like Epaphroditus... like Paul .... like Christ. Put yourself in the places where you'll find a 'big sister' who can pray for you, and walk you through mountains and valleys that they have already navigated. It's life changing. When the waters of life get rough, these sisters have been like 'swimmies' that kept me afloat.

 And today, let's make sure we are leaving good footprints for others to follow as we 'eagerly await our Savior' and our citizenship in heaven to be realized.  (I get excited thinking about it!)

And if that's not enough to inspire you.... v21 says we will have a glorious body when He comes..... okay, probably not like hers... but way  better than the one we have ;)