Devotionals

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The Imitator

Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. Ephesians 5:1-2 AMP

Walk through any toy store and you’ll find hundreds of toys that are kid-friendly miniatures of things we adults use everyday – toy tools, toy kitchens, toy cars, just name something. Why is that? Because the toy makers know what almost every parent knows – kids love to imitate their parents. There are even little kid-sized grocery carts in some grocery stores, so that kids can push around a cart along with Mom or Dad. Cute.

One Sunday after church, I witnessed a little girl of about two years old playing with a miniature kitchen in our church’s children’s ministry area. The “kitchen” was equipped with a sink, a stove, cabinets, and a microwave oven above the stove. The little girl walked up to the microwave, opened the door, closed it, and “pushed” several buttons on the pretend key pad, all with such fluid motion I wondered if she isn’t the chef for the family. Doubtless, she learned this by following – imitating – her mother at home everyday.

God wants you to be like that little girl in your daily life. You are his child, and He wants you to imitate Him. Seek first His kingdom – His methods and His purposes – and His righteousness (see Matthew 6:33). Love (see 1 John 4:8). Forgive (see Mark 11:25-26). Speak His Word – call those things that be not as though they are (see Romans 4:17). Have His kind of faith – faith that knows that whatever you hope for in accordance with His will is already accomplished (see Mark 11:22-24 & Hebrews 11:1). The Message Bible says it best in Ephesans 5:1: “Watch what God does, then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.”

Of course, no child can imitate a parent if they don’t spend time together. God is always ready to spend time with you, and His Word tells you to imitate Him. If you want to imitate Him and receive all that He has to teach you, the place to start is at His feet, in His house, and with His Word.

This Week’s Seed of Faith:

Father, Thank You that You actually want me to imitate you – to be like you. I will learn to love like you love, to forgive like you forgive, to speak like you speak, and I will follow You wherever You lead me. Thank You for being my perfect parent. Thank You for making me Your child. I LOVE YOU, DADDY!!! Amen.

**Adapted from the author's website at http://www.seedwords.com/pages.asp?pageid=82300

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