The first time I led prayers as a teenager, it was more of fear than excitement. I had done something similar in groups, but not in the main church or service. I did not know what to expect. But I did something smart, I remembered the way my pastor led prayers. I simply went up and did the same thing while leaning on the Holy Spirit. It turned out to be a great outing to the glory of God. I leveraged the power of examples.
Friend, don’t be ashamed to be an echo. You need to learn how to leverage the power of examples. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of examples and patterns (1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Peter 2:21). Whoever does not respect patterns would not form rightly. Examples simplify processes (2 Kings 2:13-15). This is why, in mathematics, students would first be given examples before the classwork. If you neglect the examples, you may struggle with the classwork.
In destiny, if you neglect examples, you would struggle in your journey to greatness. Jesus is our perfect example. This is why He asked us to follow Him in character and steps (Matthew 11:28-30). You are a Christian, not because you attend Church, but because you follow Jesus’s life and examples (Acts 4:13, 11:26).
We would mostly follow Christ through men (1 Corinthians 11:1). There are men that God has placed in our lives to help us follow Christ correctly. Your first task in growing up spiritually and in destiny is to recognize your kingdom pattern and model (2 Corinthians 12:18). Pastors are not just preachers. They are our examples. If you find the right one, follow and follow well (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
No student doctor ever becomes a professional without following established doctors. The same thing in legal practice. My first preaching style was exactly how my pastor preached before I evolved into my unique grace and flavour. You are not following to become someone’s clone. You are following to evolve into the real you (John 1:12).
Sometimes, you have to be an echo before you can be a voice (Luke 3:3-6). Until you have a reference, you are not permitted to be a reference point. Sometimes, people listen to me once and immediately ask if I am related to my spiritual father. That is the power of example. I have followed him for years. Find your kingdom example and follow well (Acts 4:13). Your journey would be easier and faster. Don’t be ashamed to start out as an echo. Is this clear?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria