Those seconds you’re stopped at a traffic light seem interminable unless you see something remarkable.
That’s where I spotted them. Their car turned, crossing in front of me. It was obvious they were mother and daughter. Their conversation was animated. There was a reflection in their mannerisms and facial expressions.
It was in the tilt of the daughter’s head and her hand movements—even her expressions. The daughter was a mirror of her mother. She was imitating her mom, whether or not she realized it.
Did she reflect her mom spiritually? Did her mom provide a pattern for spiritual growth?
Their obvious bond stabbed my heart. I wish I had had a mom I could imitate and emulate. Not long after I gave my life to Jesus, my parents decided to start camping on weekends. I understood they needed a restful break from work, but it left a gaping hole in my spiritual walk. During those formative teen years, when I needed a solid, meaty Biblical foundation, I received only baby food. There was no regular church attendance or encouragement to join the youth group. Nothing but Sunday morning non-denominational services in the campground. No depth, no solid foundation, no godly women to imitate.
Oh, make no mistake—Mama and I loved each other. But could I imitate her? Not in every way, not until I was an adult, and she had become firm and rock solid in her faith. For decades, my spiritual growth was stagnant. I had a wonderful, loving mother, but I needed a strong spiritual role model: someone who would guide and teach me in my young Christian life and who would help me grow deep roots in Christ Jesus. I didn’t know how to grow in my Christian walk. But I did learn how to imitate.
Unfortunately, I watched the world and reflected what I saw there. I modeled my life after worldly things. I walked in a spiritual desert for decades.
We must be careful who we imitate.
We grow spiritually when we imitate suitably.
Who can we imitate? The writer of Hebrews tells us to imitate those who will inherit God’s promises through faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12). Look around you at church. Find a Godly woman that you admire. Notice the qualities in her that you aspire to have.
Our women’s ministry recently had a night of testimonies. One woman grabbed my attention. She had been through so much pain and hardship physically with her body and emotionally with the death of her husband. This suffering had been happening for years. But do you know what I saw in her? Joy!
I want to imitate her because joy oozes out every pore in her body, despite her sufferings.
And what if you can’t find someone to imitate? What then?
Look to God’s Word. Paul says, “Imitate me (1 Cor. 4:16).” Why? Because he imitates Christ. And we grow when we become more and more like Jesus.
And what was Jesus like? He loved, mentored, and taught. He did nothing without His Father’s approval. He was completely surrendered to the will of God. Oh, that I could more closely imitate Jesus in my walk! Oh, how I wish surrendering in obedience would be as easy for me as it was for Jesus!
Be a reflection of Christ. Find a strong Christian to imitate.
Because who you imitate matters.
In His Image,
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