Work and Worship

Who do you Imitate?

Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

My two year old daughter has observed, enjoyed, and copied my 4 year old daughter’s every move the last few weeks. Lydia (the 2 year old) has learned the skill of imitation. More than funny, it is a ironic picture of my own imitating heart. She wants to wear Abi’s clothes, say what she says, prays what she prays, and even throw the same fits she throws. As I watch Lydia imitate, I am recognizing where I imitate those around me.

Sinful imitation for me is to think and act the way the world does about material possessions, beauty, relationships and roles. I easily slip into the sinful teen magazine foolish view of beauty and my body. Instead of seeing beauty through biblical lenses, I see it by imitating the false or sinful ideas from the world. Like Lydia, I watch and imitate with my behavior.

3 John 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

Lydia wants to be like Abigail. She admires her, she loves her. Whatever Abi does, in Lydia’s mind– is the best option. Her affection and adoration of Abigail controls her actions. Lydia’s imitation is worship. Over time, little Lydi’s heart will mature, her desires will change and our prayers are that her allegiance will be to God. Abi will continue to be a good example, as Abi’s life points to Jesus.

So I ask you, who do you imitate? As Paul and John in these scriptures (enabled by the Holy Spirit) urge us to- imitate Godly people- for the fruit of their life is worth imitating. They don’t mean imitate like Lydia does. When we merely copy someone, we are making a God out of them, worshipping them. But– if imitating someone is seeing their life lived in humility and worship, we can: learn from, be sharpened by, and enjoy the example that the Godly set By pointing us to Jesus. The purpose of imitating anyone is to draw us closer to Jesus.

Philippians 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

My prayer is that the Godly people in my life would continue to be examples that continue to point me to my Jesus. And that I would humble myself to learn from them and be sharpened by them. I can imitate with the confidence that God is at work in my heart and HE is who I worship. I am thankful for the encouragement from God to bless me with people in my life to learn from and grow with.