Marvin was always a sharp dresser, and he always wore the newest and most popular styles. His classmates always looked to see what he was wearing so they could be considered “in” when it came to the fashion trends. When Marvin started matching patterns that did not match, that became a trend. When Marvin wore tennis shoes, same style, but the left shoe and right shoe were different colors, that became a trend. Marvin was a trendsetter. If the weather was cold and Marvin opted not wear a heavy coat, only a hood-less sweatshirt, it seemed like everyone standing on the frigid bus stop had chosen to ignore the freezing temperature and the frosty surrounding, I’m sure some caught bad colds and the “trend” caused cough syrup sales to rise, all because they wanted to be like Marvin. Marvin was a trendsetter.
Now, when asked by a friend whether he was proud to be a trendsetter, Marvin said that he was not trying to influence others. He says, “They just did it. “Most of the time,” Marvin said, “I never even noticed it.” All of a sudden Marvin starts laughing, chuckling so loud that tears were flowing from his eyes. His laugh was contagious and the friend that asked the question was laughing just as hard, not even knowing why. The friend says to Marvin, “What’s so funny?” Marvin, hardly able to answer, finally reached a level of composure, enough to allow him a chance to share a story.
The story Marvin told was about a time that he dressed for school. He had put on everything except his shoes and socks. He had carried them in the living room to put on, Marvin says, “At least that’s what I thought.” His story telling is still interrupted by revived laughing. But again, he regains composure and continues. “I put on one sock and one shoe. Then I looked for the other sock and couldn’t find it! I traced my steps down the hallway and into the bedroom, but I could not find it. I had an abandoned sock! With the clock ticking and the time for the bus to arrive at the bus stop nearing, I just put on the other shoe with no sock. Guess what happened the next day? Many of my friends were dressing the same way. I better watch what I do. Maybe I am a trendsetter.” His laughter stopped. His smile disappeared. Marvin got serious and was staring contemplating deeply. Only Marvin knew what was on his mind.
Well, as you read this story, kind of a modern day, long parable, perhaps you got the point. The point: You should get serious and start contemplating in regard to the trend you may be unconsciously setting by your examples. Unlike Marvin, who did not know he was a trendsetter, you should purposely try and be a trendsetter. Perhaps you can have a positive impact on someone who needs to follow you as you follow Christ. Perhaps you can be like the Apostle Paul. Think about it! Consider it! Oh, and while you are thinking about how you will engage in setting trends, make sure you include setting the trend of being in the Lord’s house tomorrow, Sunday. I need to stop writing now. You want to know why? I have to find my other sock! Be blessed!
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King