Imitation

They say that imitation is the highest compliment. I know that the other day when I went to my son's open house, I was very touched to read in his biography that the person he most wanted to be like was ME! He wanted to be like me because he said I was kind and I helped people. WOW!
And yet with this in mind, it is important for me to remember that I need to behave in ways that should be imitated. That means I need to talk right, and act right, and treat my wife and kids right. It also means that when I am wrong I need to say "I'm sorry," and when I fail I need to ask for forgiveness.
Just like our kids imitate us, so we choose others to imitate as well. Who is it that you imitate? If you don't know the answer to that question, you need to seek out the answer, because we all imitate someone, whether we realize it or not.
In Ephesians 5:1-2, the apostle Paul gives us a good challenge: "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." This is a good word, because if there is anyone we should imitate, it is God. And not only do we have the Bible to help us know what to imitate, but we have Jesus Christ, who is the representation of God. As Jesus said in John 14:8-9, "⁸Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." ⁹Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"
Why is it more people don't imitate God? I believe that we struggle in life because we don't. I especially think that we need to imitate God's love. Tell me what you think by clicking on the "comments" button below.