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.
Philippians 3:17 NIV
Keep Your Eyes
Distracted driving happens when a driver’s attention is taken away from the driving task because they are focused on something else. The risk of a collision goes up when a driver’s eyes are taken off the road even for a second. This is because distraction impairs performance and reduces a driver’s awareness. According to data from Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, distracted driving contributed to an estimated 22.5% of fatal collisions and 25.5% of serious injury collisions in 2021. These statistics are part of an upward trend of distracted driving-related collisions.
***
In a world that too often disappoints us, I am grateful for those Christians who live a consistent, godly life and who stand as an example to us in how we can run the race of the Christian life well. Only Jesus lived a perfectly sinless, blameless life. The apostle Paul certainly knew that he was far from perfect. But his heart was right with the Lord, and he had been living a godly life for a long time, so he was able to write, in 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.” This is a great reminder that we are not alone in our journey of faith. God places people in our lives—mentors, friends, leaders—who reflect His love and truth. We all need a Paul in our lives, and if you have this, you are blessed. But it also challenges us: Are we living lives worth imitating? Our words, actions, and attitudes speak volumes. When we live with integrity, humility, and grace, we become living testimonies of Christ’s transforming power.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley