Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Philippians 3:17

This afternoon Patrina and I briefly met a man who credited a single person as the one who “saved his life” by starting him on his career path of choice some more than 30 years ago. He appeared to be grateful that that one man had helped start a legacy of success for his family as his son had now followed him into the business.

Is there a single person who has been instrumental in your life?

Some of you may be familiar with Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, but Chip Ingram took a different perspective with Good to Great in God’s Eyes as he discusses what he calls ten practices of great Christians. In his chapter, “Pursue Great People,” he challenges his readers to build their own spiritual Mount Rushmore, recognizing those who have influenced their lives the greatest.

I can think of several I would include, but at the top of my list is Dad. It’s been more than thirty-six years now since Dad was murdered, even so his life continues to provide a pattern for mine.

I’ve written about this several times over the years, but I was an eyewitness to his daily life, and while he was not perfect, he was a man dedicated to his walk with Christ. I can’t really remember a particular sermon he preached, but I do recall how he modeled the life of a committed follower of Christ. I knew his routine of getting up early and beginning his day in pursuit of Christ. So, on the morning he was killed I was not surprised to find his bible opened on the counter or his prayer list with familiar names and situations. He lived with a purpose to pursue Christ with his life and recognized his dependence on Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in his life.

In the passage above, Paul was not arrogantly instructing the Philippians to follow him because of his goodness, but to follow Paul’s example of a life dependent on Christ – and not only Paul but others who have walked before us in the same manner.

So, who would you place on your spiritual Mount Rushmore? Secondly, let’s ask ourselves the following – could I ask anyone to follow my example? Would anyone add me to their personal Mount Rushmore?