Be Imitators

Be Imitators Children learn to function in real life by imitating those around them. They learn to speak by listening to their family’s words and copying what they hear. They learn to interact with others by observing how their loved ones interact with others. They learn what’s culturally and socially appropriate by watching and imitating. They learn how to eat, play, read, pray, cook, fish, braid, draw, garden, build, worship, invest, and navigate relationships by noticing and mimicking those around them. And it doesn’t stop with children. People will often reflect those closest to them, as well as their environment. Perhaps that’s why, while writing from the confines of a Roman prison, the apostle Paul gave the believers in Ephesus a heartfelt charge: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Paul knew that loving and reflecting God was foundational. What we observe will get repeated and, eventually, passed along. The fancy word for this concept is discipleship—where we learn from those we trust and teach others what we’ve learned. Regardless of where we’re at in life, we’re all being discipled by something. That’s why we should carefully consider who we are listening to and following. It is vital to build our lives on Truth. It’s already in our God-given makeup to reflect God. But as humans, we still have to intentionally remember who and whose we are, which is the first step in becoming more like Christ.