Impressions
Man is a social being. While learning occurs in the womb, most of the socialization process is after birth. Interaction with other persons influences development of values and the choices made.
My niece, who only speaks English, has just adopted a Chinese baby. The child will grow up speaking English and wearing clothes culturally consistent with adoptive parents. Religion and lots of other choices will be made based upon social environment. Because the child will look Chinese it is probable that other Chinese persons will attempt interaction, thus introducing elements of Chinese culture.
How we individually journey to our destination is a combination of all the persons who are around us. Impressions upon our mind may be overt or more subtle. We may not consciously think about things that impress us.
On the other hand we may choose to be impressed. For example, Alexander the Great was influenced by Homer’s fictional poem with real and imagined heroes and brutal descriptions of war. Julius Caesar wanted to be like Alexander the Great. Charles the Twelfth of Sweden longed to imitate Alexander the Great. Selymus, a Turkish ruler, was fascinated with Julius Caesar. In the end, a poem impressed at least four military leaders to fight some of the most brutal wars of history.
Reverend Billy Graham is perhaps the most well-known minister in the world. He modeled his ministry from impressions of Charles Finney, who stirred revival in communities and cities during the 1800s.
Fact: We are strongly influenced by impressions we receive from other people.
Fact: Impressions good or bad influence us.
Fact: We can be impressed by things we hate and find ourselves drawn to and repeating what we hate. For example, children of alcoholic-abusive fathers tend to repeat the pattern. Psychologist James Dobson suggests that if we spend too much time thinking about anything we could come to love even what we hate, i.e., whatever consumes our thinking is what we become. Whatever consumes our thinking is what we know the most about, and we develop our habits to be consistent with our thinking.
The importance of this letter is to suggest that God gives us the power of choice. While we may not choose our birth, as we grow up/mature we have the right of choosing with whom we associate. We have the right to choose between good and evil. We have the right to choose our exposure to IMPRESSIONS.
Hollywood and pop culture in general offer impressions of persons who are rich, famous, sexy, intelligent, adventuresome, etc. Naïve and foolish persons dream, attempt, or vicariously pretend they are like or have some of the characteristics of these “heroes.”
Peter the Apostle suggests a more aggressive method of choosing role models. He suggests we ought to exercise our creative minds, make choices based on eternal truths, and select role models that guide us to intrinsic peace and eternal happiness. He makes clear that wise persons will choose IMPRESSIONS that will lead them in the footsteps of Jesus THE ULTIMATE ROLE MODEL.
When we study the life of Christ it becomes clear that He lived his life to make an impression upon those around him and to leave a legacy for future generations to follow. He talked about purpose: Lo, I come to do the Father’s will; Not my will, but thine be done; I and the Father are one; I have come to seek and save that which is lost. He talked about what He did bringing glory to the Father. He talked about eternal life. He talked about a pure heart, abstaining from sin, and living a sacrificial life to serve others.
Jesus made clear that we are to choose life and choose righteousness: “Follow me,” he says to Levi, yet Jesus walks on. Levi has to decide whether to follow. “Come down”, he says to Zaccheaus, yet he leaves the results with the man.
Joshua trained under Moses. When Joshua’s time of leadership came he addressed the people with “Choose you this day whom you will serve.”
My friend, you will be impressed by someone or something. Hopefully, this letter will lovingly encourage you to exercise choice in choosing IMPRESSIONS. Hopefully, you will choose impressions that will guide your heart towards Christ. If you must have a hero, choose a godly hero.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Bare
I Peter 3:18; 4:1-6