Philippians 3:14-17 English Standard Version
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
Here Paul admits to another one of our human natures, that of attention. He not only admits it but wishes to instill in us a desire to pay attention to others.
In large gatherings we will often find that there are some within the group that gather to themselves people who just want to be close to them, to talk to them, to pay attention to them. With some of the better known and more popular there can be a long list of people waiting for an audience with celebrities.
It is our human nature to create celebrities. We look up to success and admire it. We might even imitate behaviors in order to be more like those individuals. Imitation is sincere flattery.
What is misleading about the terminology of imitate is the human nature of looking at the superficial things and not seeing the deeper and more intimate things. We do not have intimate relationships with celebrities, we might not know the inner being. It would be better understood if we looked at that comment in the context of a walk to Emmaus.
Jesus walked with two men on the walk to Emmaus and revealed Himself in the scriptures. Now these men did not recognize this was Jesus. This was their first encounter with Him after His resurrection. It was not until they invited Him to stay with them and break bread that they realized He is Christ.
Do we see Christ in others? That is the main attraction.