May 21

Be Imitators of God

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1, 2

As Father’s day approaches it is appropriate to think about our Heavenly Father and all He has done for us. He is the ultimate provider and nurturer and we, his children, love him dearly, as He loves us. The other day I observed a little boy walking with his dad. He struggled to keep us with his father, but what a sight. This small child swinging his hands the same way as his dad, imitating the gait. As children grow and mature they may no longer imitate their father’s walk, but will begin to take on other characteristics of their dads...mannerisms, personality, character traits. Paul desires for us to imitate our Heavenly Father just as the children around us imitate their earthly fathers. To do this we must study our Father, watching and learning from Him, that we might be like Him. Paul tells us to live a life of love and in this way we can imitate God. For our Father is love, every word, every movement, every action is permeated with love. Let us follow His Christ¹s example, our elder brother. He learned that His Father was love and he imitated Him, giving His life as a fragrant offering, so we can sacrifice ourselves in love. We can imitate our Father in heaven by giving of ourselves to those around us, letting His love permeate our lives. Let it be said of us, he/she is just like her dad.

Father, we love You with all our hearts. There is nothing on this earth that we would like more than to become just like You. Show us just who you are. Make us imitators of Christ, that we might be like You. Give us Your heart, grant us Your compassion and love that will never give up until all are saved. Make us so like You that others will marvel at what You have done in our lives. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen