“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me” (1Corinthians 4:15&16) NKJV

When I was a young amateur guitarist, I would go to a lounge on a military base in Toronto to sit in (jam as we called it) with a bunch of local jazz musicians. I was the kid in the band and with my limited knowledge could at best, just provide only a sold rhythm background, with simple forms of chords.

One evening as we were packing up, the base player in the group a tall Scottish chap, who I always admired, came up to me and said, “Lad you’ve got a good sense of rhythm but you need to expand your knowledge of chords, get yourself a good guitar teacher.”

Following his advice I signed up for guitar lessons at a well-known music studio and started receiving instructions from an accomplished guitarist; who often provided backup for performers on the CBC TV shows.

Wow! What a program he put me through. He changed my whole playing technique, widened my vocabulary of chords and showed me useful progressions for accompaniment. He was a hard taskmaster and expected me to have my previous lesson practiced up to standard before he would take me further. As a result of his teaching, I was able then to backup a popular vocal group and play rhythm guitar in 21- piece orchestra.

Recently, one of my grandsons has taken up the bass guitar. I wasn’t able help him much because I am pretty rusty on bass. But like the Scottish fellow did for me in the past, I encouraged him to seek out a good teacher; which he did, and now I have the thrill of seeing him playing in our church band.

Through my walk as a Christian I’ve found myself imitating pastors and other Christian leaders, just as I had with my music teachers. The apostle Paul was a strict teacher and demanded much from his followers. But importantly he emphasized, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1Cor.11:1). NKJV. I believe my mentors also imitated theirs as we should do also, being sure of course, that they have produced a productive life.

Prayer

Father I thank You, for those in the past that I’ve been able to imitate with confidence. May we all look back with gratitude, for those whom You brought into our lives, to enrich us in practical and spiritual ways. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Allan Smith anjsmith@nextcom.ca

Innisfil ON