Glad They are Near

One of the finest compliments that could be paid to an individual is that it is easier to be good when they are nearby. I am not speaking of times when parents may appear threatening to children, teachers watch students or policemen check you out. I am talking about people whose influence is beneficial and positive.

Thanks be to God for such people (and I am privileged to know many like this) for those people who are always sources of encouragement and inspiration to look with greater reverence on the standards of God and be motivated to live accordingly. They live their lives in such fashion you want to be more like them as they imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1).

Of course, you have to deal with those of the opposite sort also, don't you? But we should seek those who build, lift, strengthen and show the right way. We should strive to be such persons ourselves.