The Dead Ones (Part 3) - Those Who've Gone and the Power of Modeling

I was amazed few days ago when my one-year-old nephew lift up both his hands high in the air when my brother asked him "How do you Praise the Lord?" So cute!

Infants learn by doing what they see their parents are doing. How else do they learn new skills? In time, they'll also imitate their expressions, mannerisms and even habits. I've long suspected that many people have their so-called "inherited" diseases are not because of genes....but that's for a future time when I'll have my chance to prove a point or two....

That's what Jesus do when he was a man on earth. He did everything what he saw his Father was doing (John 5:19). Not that he couldn't do anything on his own, but he was teaching us the power of prayer, and specifically modeling. Son following father.

Elisha inherited a double portion from Elijah. Many people these days have no idea what it means by a double portion. A double portion is normally only given to the firstborn son. Or it could be a chosen heir or successor. Like Joshua succeeded and replaced Moses. Earlier Elisha called Elijah "master", but later "father". This double portion thing is both a great privilege and a terrible responsibility. That's why Elijah said to Elisha "You've asked a difficult thing". Difficult not for Elijah to give, but for Elisha to bear. My dad is the firstborn son in his family, so I know what terrible responsibility it is! And to my understanding, only one can inherit the double portion. So I really do not understand when the whole church is asking for a double portion from men of God these days! Especially those they hardly even know. I always cringe when I hear those prayers.

Paul addressed Timothy as "my true son in the faith". Obviously many of his own betrayed him. But that did not stop him instructing young Tim to set an example for others to follow. And though he was at the end of his life (just as Elijah was leaving Elisha), he wrote to young Tim "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching.....Guard the good deposit entrusted to you...." (2 Timothy 1:13,14). He was instructing young Tim to model after him.

There are a few people who'd passed and impacted my life. And sometimes I do model what they'd say, what they'd do, what they'd think in many situations and scenarios in life, as if they've never left me. I can only do this with the people I've known, and they've known me. I've gotta observe and listen to them closely while they're with me. I did this with my former chess and squash captain. I observed how they battled, how they handled pressure, how they responded to defeats, and how they managed their team which included me! I remember the things they said both in the training ground and battlefields. I'd sometimes imitate them while fighting, a bit like how Patroclus imitated Achilles. We all have models in different areas of our lives, whether we're conscious of them or not.

And I do have a few spiritual models. Yesterday I wrote that I remembered many teachings from my former youth pastor. But that's not just it. Not long ago, I was instructed by certain people not to have anything further to do or consult men such as him who's no longer part of the same church. If only they understand the power of modeling! Many times and in different places, I'd consult my memories of people like him, to find what I should do or say at times. I'd normally catch up with them after years, to re-engage, "re-evaluate" and "callibate" my models (unknowing to them of course). Because they're still living, they do change and progress in life. Their views and stances do change. It's often because of the refreshing grace of God "abounding" in their lives. But the things I like in them (not necessary the things I'd agree) never change. Otherwise they would not be my models. Physical or non-physical, natural or unnatural boundaries are of no consequence.

This is what I taught myself to do over the years, across places. If it's natural for babes, it should be for me. I've learnt which parts of the mountain to dig for pure gold, which parts of the desert to find my oasis.

Still, it's a terrible thing....to inherit something as heavy as a double portion from a "father". I've not really inherited a double portion from someone. In fact there were times I declined such responsibilities. I've disappointed my past bosses and captains. I'm still just a distant modeller. For now.