What exactly is meant by being inspired by someone? My instant answer could be Jesus, but I like to think in terms or ordinary humans, like myself, who’ve somehow managed to accomplish great things.
I tend to think of people I could imagine myself wanting to be like if I were starting my life again. And inspiration spans different areas. It would be great musicians such the The Beatles, Pink Floyd, or Bob Dylan. Maybe U2 could be included too because they were from Ireland and were of my generation.
Bono said that they were awful when they began – so I could have created an awful group when I was in my teens – which might have gone on to being as successful as U2. But I didn’t 😀.
Then, I think of people who’ve accomplished much in charity, business and politics – making the world a better place. And of course, I can think of many great preachers, theologians or hymnwriters who’ve been a great influence. And I can think of family and friends – so many people who I admire and wish I was more similar to.
Bob Geldof was interesting because he began as a punk rock star but initiated Band Aid and Live Aid some years later. Back when I liked punk, I didn’t really think of the stars as compassionate types. And Johnny Rotten/Lydon inspired me when I heard about him caring for his wife who had dementia. It’s interesting how inspiration can come from so many different directions.
Dave Greenfield of the Stranglers inspired me in my keyboard playing, but he never had much of a spiritual influence on me.
Still – maybe I wouldn’t have had the skill to play the organ in church if I hadn’t been so into the Stranglers in my late teens. 😀. I spent many hours each week playing all the latest hits – which became hymns in later years.
But though I couldn’t be like Jesus as God, one of the key purposes of the incarnation, in addition to dying on the cross to save us, was presenting us with a model to follow – someone who completely aligned Himself to the will of His Father, whatever the cost. Numerous New Testament verses present Jesus as a model to follow. Here are some examples, from the WEB translation of the Bible, which is copyright free. I sometimes use it if I’m quoting a substantial amount from the Bible.
Philippians 2:1-11
2 If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, 2 make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 John 2:3-6
3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
That second passage is a little scary because at a surface level, it seems to dismiss anyone who isn’t as perfect as Jesus. But I think that it’s probably about policy rather than perfection. We all fall short, but we should aim to model ourselves on Jesus.
Earlier in the same epistle, John makes it clear that we all fall short, but we should be honest about our failings and confess our sins to Jesus:
1 John 1:8-10
. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
And we should be inspired by all others who aim to be like Jesus. That’s the advantage of Christian fellowship. I can look back and still be inspired by so many Christians who I’ve known over the years. Many are already in heaven.
Here are some hymns about being like Jesus:
Hibernia Gospel 