The Power of Example

Three examples, one loss

One Sunday afternoon a month

It was very tempting. Kevin’s work associate had just received a promotion and he knew he was in line for the next. One Sunday afternoon a month was all they were asking. No one would need to know where he was. After all, while he would miss the Sunday lecture, he would never miss a memorial service — and that was what really mattered.

One Sunday morning a month

Young Jim, recently baptized and from a strong family in the truth ,knew it was impossible to get through his training without missing at least one Sunday a month. But, of course, he was young. Who would ever think he was an example to follow? It was the older generation that sets the standards! Anyway, once the training was finished, he could make his own schedule and work twice as hard in the truth. God would understand.

Sunday overtime

No one knew much about Larry who recently came into the truth. One thing was certain, he had enthusiasm! All he wanted to do was share the great discovery of finding the truth. He never had expected much from life materially and now he turned down any overtime at work because he was far more interested in spiritual things. After a few months, he felt pressured for more income. He did not feel as influential as some in the meeting. Was it his economic status? Perhaps, if he took the weekend work he was offered, he could earn enough money to get the respect he though he should have. After all, two brethren he knew worked Sundays. One was a stable, middle-aged brother and the other a young brother from a strong family in the truth.

The examples cause trouble

Mel never had been sure he was ready to be baptized. His family had always expected it and somehow he knew it was the right thing to do. When he was baptized, he was glad. He felt he was his own man now, a brother in the meeting. He had just finished school, too, and would be completely supporting himself for the first time.

The job was great, more money than he had ever expected! The big drawback was that he had to work full-time two out of three weekends. It looked bad fora new brother; but they promised it would only be for six months. Besides, three other brothers he knew worked on some Sundays.

Six months passed and Mel began feeling depressed. None of his friends from meeting called anymore. Is this what brotherly love was all about?

Three more months passed and he was offered a promotion. Now that he was manager, he could not afford anything to go wrong on the weekends when staff was light. Nobody noticed whether he was at meeting or not; or so it seemed!

Months passed. A few phone calls came from friends in the meeting. Why could they call now when it was meant to criticize him: Why not before when he needed friends? Then the letters came from the arranging board. What did it matter? He could worship God in his own way. After all, plenty of others worked on Sundays. If they wanted to disfellowship him for that, let them!

One example saves three

A busy young sister

Polly never had enough time to finish her work for the day. With four small children, life seemed to move from one crisis to another. She tried to read God’s word every day and made an effort to read just a little of some Christadelphian work. When she stacked the magazines, she left one about the truth on top. It was a small thing, but having it cover the other items made it easier to pick up and made a statement that the truth was the more important thing in her life.

For Pat it was a spur of the moment decision to drop in. Her new job was just around the corner and it seemed the sisterly thing to do. Should she call first? No, it would mean a quick clean of the house when the purpose of the visit was to be a pleasure not a burden. She was welcomed warmly by the young sister even though the noise of the children drowned out some of the conversation.

“Have you seen the house yet? Let me show you around.” Books, toys and piles of laundry were scattered from one end to the other. There was a pile of magazines, a Christadel­phian pamphlet on top. “How does she find time to read that?” Pat had no children and a quiet home, yet even then it seemed impossible to fit the readings in some days.

The example affected change

Ever since Pat saw that pamphlet at Polly’s house, she forced herself to read some item on the truth every day. “After all, if she can do it…!”

It was almost too much of a coincidence when her friend at work asked her what it was she had said about not believing in a personal devil recently. One of the latest pamphlets had been on that very subject; all the points just flowed. Pat’s friend was impressed that she knew her Bible so well. It was exciting to be able to answer questions without having to go home and pull out a book or review her Bible marking.

She did not pressure her friend; she just showed a sincere desire to explain something that was so clear, yet so misunderstood. Her friend was such a special person, and she often thought how wonderful it would be if she could be in the kingdom.

It was the approach as much as the knowledge that made her friend come back with another question. Her friend had been having a hard time at home. Religion was something people used to appear acceptable and yet do whatever they pleased. Her parents were living proof of that. She never had been able to understand why they went to church. They did not read their Bibles. How could they be so sure the priest had all the answers? Everyone knew he disagreed with other priests on important issues.

She hated to go to another church but the Christadelphians seemed so sincere. Furthermore, there had never been an answer to a question that could not be found in the Bible; and the more answers she found, the more it all fit together.

She knew baptism was essential; why not go right ahead? For some reason she was being told to wait. The point was that a life time commitment, a way of life, was as important as knowledge, her friend kept saying. Months passed, she knew she was ready despite what anyone might say. She was glad to see the tears of joy in Pat’s eyes the morning of her baptism. She felt convinced she was really ready for her new life in Christ.

The one teaches two more

The way of life was not easy. Years later, she could see the importance of her spiritual sister’s admonition to wait a while. Looking back, she realized that her mother and sister would never have accepted the truth if her preaching had been based only on effective arguments. It was the total change in attitude, the peace, the patience, the forgiveness, as much as her knowledge that kept them coming with new questions.

God works in mysterious ways. Who knows how many more of her family might see the truth before the kingdom? After all, in Deuteronomy 4, God said to make these things known to your children and your children’s children.