WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
Philippians 3:17 (NIV)

                It is common to ask children and young people the question, who do you want to be when you grow up? The answer is usually framed in some occupation, such as a doctor, an astronaut, a nurse, a baseball player. When we get into our high school and college years our answer to that question becomes more defined. We begin to set our sights on a particular career path. As we mature our answer tends to be refined with the phrase, I want to be a successful _________. What is common with all of these answers is that they focus on what we do and not on who we are as a person.

                When the Bible poses the question of who we are to be, it focuses not on our activity but on our character. A more biblical answer to the question, who do you want to be, would be, I want to be a person of integrity and godly character. Every decision that we make and every action that we take in life is shaping and molding us. Our actions are making us into a particular kind of person, regardless of our occupation.

                C.S. Lewis suggests that all of life is a process of molding us into the people we will be for all of eternity. Our decisions and actions will lead us to be either a more patient person or a more impatient one. The course we set in life will either make us more loving and gracious or more callous and demanding. Although we tend to focus on our outward actions, God focuses on what is going on in our soul.

                Many years ago, someone challenged me with this question. Who do you want to be when you are 80 years old? Then he followed up with this statement. Whoever you want to be when you are 80, you need to start becoming now. The patterns of life that you establish when you are young will ultimately shape who you are when you are old. Someone once stated it this way. There are really no crabby old people. There are just crabby people who get old. The patterns we establish in our lives matter.

                I was reminded of this just yesterday as I spoke with my father on the phone. My dad is currently in a nursing home recovering from the shock of my mom’s death. On that day, and the several days following, my dad shut down both physically and mentally. He told us last night that he can’t remember the events of those days. But now, three weeks later, he has rebounded and is back to his old self. He has always enjoyed talking with people and that hasn’t changed. He has engaged with the staff and the residents at the home. My brother tells me that they all love him there because he is positive and vibrant, even though he is 95. He has a determination to return to his home, which will happen this week. He has not only embraced the physical therapy sessions they offer him, but he takes regular walks up and down the halls on his own. He is thankful for all of the care he has been given and has freely expressed it. His character, forged over 95 years of living, is showing through.

                Paul set an example of what it means to live a godly life. He was serious about disciplining his life in order to shape and mold his character to conform to the image of Christ.

                Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

                Because of the discipline Paul worked into his life, he was able to challenge others to follow his example. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Paul also told Timothy to both model and pass on the godly pattern of life that Paul had demonstrated for him. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV)

                How we live our lives today will shape who we become tomorrow. The patterns we establish will either lead us toward a godly character or lead us away from one. The longer we continue in a particular pattern, the harder it will be to change; whether for good or bad. Who we really are is not demonstrated when we are in control and at our best. It is demonstrated when the pressure is on and our world seems to be upside down. It is then that our true character shines through.

                One day we will all stand before the throne of God and have to give an accounting of our life. Who do you want to be then? Whoever you hope to be on that day, you need to start being that person today. None of us knows how much time we have to shape our character for eternity. Therefore, what we do today really matters. When all of our achievements have been stripped away, what will be left will be our character.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:1-2 (NIV)