Leading by Example

The kids asked for a new app this week that is similar to the Guitar Hero video game where the goal is to simply click on the moving notes as the game played it's melody for you. The songs it plays however are the classics such as Beethoven and Mozart pieces. Of course, the kids are not well rehearsed in classical music and have no idea what the melody is. It was sad to me that they didn't know the beauty these notes held when played according to their intended rhythm and placement. It was also very annoying to hear what seemed like a Banging on the Keyboard-Garage Band version of such beautiful songs. 
I couldn't stand listening to it anymore and in my Mommy Teaching Mode, I headed straight to ITunes and pulled each song up for them to listen to. They could hear the original song, the way it was intended to be played. These composeers were intentional in their harmonies, setting each note in perfect unity and harmony, creating what in the end was a glorious melody. The only way my kids could have know how to play the songs correctly, is  if they knew the original. They must know the example before they could be expected to copy it. Otherwise, there are only going to copy copies.
God reminded me that this is why it is important to be aware of my life's example in. I don't live my life in fear of or to please another, but we are to be Light and Salt to a watching world. It's on thing to tell our kids about loving and serving others, and actually showing them what it looks like. It's one thing to explain worship and another to display it. We can talk all day about making right choices and using wisdom and discernment, walking in grace, offering help and hospitality, showing compassion, forgiving others but until we show it, they won't know it. But, I fail often at doing all that well. 
God knew we'd need a tangible example and that is why He sent us His Son. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that is why we were given the gift of Christ Jesus, to dwell among us and teach us, showing us, start to earthly finish to the forever eternal life, our original example. Following Him, we can taste and see that the Lord is good. We understand the original value of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, forgiveness, surrender, trust, hope, faith, wisdom, and honor.
Through His birth, life and death, we can know what The Creator of Life intended for His creation. He is our ultimate example on living life to the glory of our Father. He taught us how to love one another, turn darkness into light, surrender and trust, reflect God's heart to the broken-hearted. He taught us by showing us. We identify ourselves as being like Him when we say we are Christian, but are we representing the original well? Are we a beautiful melody or are we just making noise? I pray that we are found at least making a joyful noise on days our pitch is off!! 
How humbling and strengthening to know this imperfect girl has been intentionally placed with a specific value, to a glorious, original, masterpiece, with a specific note, volume, and duration. We will only know that value when we listen to the Composer's original. This is why spending time in His presence is crucial. We must be seeking Him in His Word. Otherwise, who's example will you follow? Who's song will you be singing? Who will you be in harmony with? 

Thank You God for Your written Word given to us as our reference guide. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that dwells in the Believer to lead us into harmony and unity with You. Teach us our value in Your masterpiece. Temper us into You perfect rhythm and sync us to Your heart that our life may be a pleasing sound of worship for You. Cleanse our hearts from clanging noise and reveal the sound of Your voice with clarity and precision. May we be found faithful to lead others well as we follow You. Thank You for those You have placed in our life that stand strong for You. They are such a sweet song to our soul. Keep us instep with You Lord God and forgive us when we just bang around on the keyboard of life and make annoying sounds. It is our heart's desire to worship You with purity, making a beautiful and pleasing sound in Your ears. May our life be a glorious melody of praise for You! Thank You for gifting us Your Perfect Son, who walked among us teaching us by Word and by revelation. We especially celebrate His birth and the Gift He is to us during this Christmas season. Jesus is the very reason for this season of giving! Thank You Lord! Blessed be Your Holy, perfect Name, amen.