The Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star weekend is always an event I look forward to because of the amazing athleticism displayed by the four participants.

During this year’s contest, there were two especially memorable moments by winner, Donovan Mitchell, and second place finisher, Larry Nance, Jr.

Each player replicated a previous contest winner’s slam. Nance Jr.’s dunk was particularly special because he nailed the same one his dad performed in 1984 when he was the champion.

As his dad sat in the front row watching, Nance Jr. re-created all the elements of his dad’s contest – even down to the socks, jersey, and short shorts. He did an impressive job of honoring and reminding everyone of his dad.

Mitchell decided to follow in the footsteps of Vince Carter who won the competition in 2000 with multiple electrifying dunks. After changing into a Carter jersey, he succeeded in securing Saturday night’s victory with a dynamic dunk that best imitated Carter.

Watching Mitchell and Nance Jr. try to boldly imitate these dunkers, made for an entertaining night of basketball. Both players paid homage to those that went before them, and showed how their dunking skills were greatly influenced by them.

Throughout our lives, we are all impacted by those we admire and respect. In writing today’s devotional, after hearing the news that one of the greatest men to ever walk the earth has gone to heaven, I reflect on the qualities of Billy Graham worth emulating.

For my 10th birthday, I went to one of his crusades at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Listening to Billy Graham powerfully and humbly share the Gospel, still inspires me to emulate his example as a follower of Jesus.

Of course He wasn’t perfect, but Billy Graham lived in a way that clearly demonstrated his love for Jesus and his desire to leave a legacy of faith.

There are questions we should regularly ask ourselves when taking an inventory of our lives as followers of Jesus.

• Who are we imitating and trying to resemble?
• Whose character do we reflect…and what standard are we holding ourselves to?
• Are we looking to be more like those who live admirable and respectable lives…and do we remind others of them?

The reality is, there are influencers all around us. We must be aware of who we’re imitating and choose wisely.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV), “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

Whether it’s Paul or Billy Graham or our own pastor, there are men we should strive to emulate, but also acknowledge that they still fall short of God’s perfect standard.

That’s why our ultimate example is Jesus. We can resemble other strong leaders and learn from them, but our highest priority should be to imitate Him.

1 John 2:6 (NLT) says, “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT) encourages us to “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

Today, let’s attempt to “dunk” like some of the wonderful examples who have shown us how it’s done. Let’s make sure they are always pointing us toward Jesus because He’s the One we truly follow. As we imitate Him, we can become an example for others.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that You would transform me as I look to become more like Jesus. I pray my life would honor and represent You well. I pray that I can be someone worthy of imitation because they see Jesus in me. It’s in His name I pray, Amen.