Our Life – Inspiration or Excuse?

“Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.”  II Chronicles 21:5,6

“Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.” II Chronicles 22:2-4

The above two passages, found in back-to-back chapters, are very heart-breaking to me. In both instances, the wickedness of a king is attributed to the influence of a woman – King Jehoram by his wife, King Ahaziah by his mother and her family.

Yes, every individual must make their own decisions to do right or wrong, but we must constantly be aware of the influence we have on others. I have heard it said,

“I want to be someone’s inspiration, not their excuse.” 

Does my daily life inspire others to live for God, or am I their excuse to be unfaithful to Him? Paul said in Philippians 4:9 –

“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” 

In my Bible, beside the above verse, I have written, “Can I say this?” If we love our family and friends as we say we do, what better way to demonstrate that love than to lead them to a life of peace, as the above verse indicates?

***At this very moment in our life, can we look at our loved ones and friends and say, “Do what I am teaching you by word and example. Follow me and I will lead you to a life of peace with God.”  If we can’t say that, why can’t we?***

The popular phrase, “Do as I say, not as I do” may sound good – may make us feel good – may seem to take the pressure off – and may actually work for a little while. But eventually, we will realize ( and often too late) that it is our example that is being followed much more than our words.  Lord, help us, by God’s grace, to strive to live a life where we can say without reservation,

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”  I Corinthians 11:1

~ Rachel ~