Follow the Pattern

Follow the Pattern
Originally uploaded by auntjojo

This Christmas my Mom made me a beautiful quilt. I don't know how she does it. It takes so much time to choose the fabric, cut out all the pieces, sew them back together, and then quilt the whole thing. All the while, she follows a pattern that tells her where all the pieces should go in order to pull together a coherent design.
The Philippians text for this week reminds us that we should take note of those who live according the pattern Paul gave them (Phil 3.17). Like Paul, we are to strive for maturity in our faith, to realize that we have not yet reached perfection, and to press on towards the goal.
We are to model ourselves after those who have gone before us, those who have sustained faith over the long haul and through the difficult times.
Where do you see the patterns of Christ in the world around you? What might God reveal to you of these patterns during this Lenten season?