Mark Lowry is a great comedian. Seriously.
If you need proof of that, or if you just want something to make you laugh, or if you would like to see for yourself what gave me the idea for this post, then I recommend you go watch this video of the Gaither Vocal Band performing “Jesus on the Mainline.”
Now that you’ve seen it, let’s talk about what makes this funny—and, at the same time, relatable. Once you stop laughing long enough to give it some thought, you realize that to some degree we’re all like Mark Lowry. Not in being gifted comedians that can crack up a room, but on a deeper level. His performance puts into vivid color what we all feel from time to time.
Let’s revisit the scene. Here are four singers standing on stage. On one side are David Phelps and Guy Penrod, both soulfully singing their hearts out. On the other side is Bill Gaither, singing in deep concentration with his eyes closed. They all look and sound like they know what they’re doing.
Then there’s Mark Lowry. Compared to the other three, he looks like a clueless goofball. He looks around and latches on to the one who seems to have the most self-assurance: Bill Gaither. As deep in thought as he appears to be, the building could be burning down around him, and he wouldn’t notice. What is his secret? Well, Mark intends to find out. So he mimics. Whatever Bill does, Mark does in exaggerated form. But in the end, he still can’t crack the code and get whatever it is that Bill Gaither has. Try as hard as he might, Mark is still Mark.
cracking the code
Do you ever feel that way—like everyone else knows what they’re doing, while you’re the one who’s been left in the dust, confused and clueless? I think we all feel that way deep inside, whether we admit it or not. Some are better actors than others, but no one has this life thing all figured out. A secret to serenity is to own up to that and stop pretending we know when really we don’t.
This is something I’ve been thinking and learning about lately. As someone growing into young adulthood, I suppose it’s a typical lesson for a person my age. But we all need to be reminded of this, however old or young we are.
No one is the perfect role model. (Apart from Jesus, of course.) Some are better examples than others, but no one leads a flawless life of faith. Even the ones who seem to have a grip on things don’t know nearly as much as we might think they do. Every one of us has lessons to learn and areas to grow in.
So as much as we might want to find someone we can mimic our way into becoming, no one person can guide us all the way there, because no one has arrived at the point of perfection yet.
finding someone to follow
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
— Philippians 3:17 (ESV)
But with that being said, I don’t think mimicry is bad. Imitation is one of the most effective ways to learn, after all, and it’s presented in the Bible as a means of growth (1 Corinthians 4:15–16, 2 Thessalonians 3:9, Hebrews 6:12). So even though I know that no one is a perfect model, I’m still going to look for ones to follow. Whenever I find someone who has the kind of faith I’m looking for, I’ll go all Mark Lowry on them if I need to. Because some things aren’t learned from a lecture; they are learned through life.
I strongly believe in the power of everyday life discipleship. Many of the building blocks in my faith have not been taken from sermons; they’ve been drawn from observing other believers God has placed in my life. And it hasn’t necessarily been during teaching moments. A lot of what I’ve learned has come from observing others in everyday interactions, seeing what is important to them, and watching them when they think no one is looking.
I need to remember that others are watching me too. So I am not only to look for those worth imitating; I am also called to lead a life worthy of being imitated. As I look around and learn, I’m preparing to lead.
Here’s what I’m learning: absorb all the good you can from others, then make it your own. Find others to follow, and be willing to lead. Don’t be afraid to mimic along the way if you need to. Remember: the world is watching you.
Whether or not the crowd is cheering us on, let’s make it our goal to live in such a way that Jesus is pleased.
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