Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)
There are many things I do today that I learned from my mom and dad. In the same way, I can see my children doing things they learned from my husband and me. When we spend a lot of time around someone, we naturally begin to pick up their habits, attitudes, and traits. Whether intentional or not, we become imitators of the people we spend the most time with.
The same is true in our relationship with God. The more time we spend with Him through prayer and reading His Word, the more we should begin to resemble our Heavenly Father. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul outlines several godly characteristics and behaviors that should mark the lives of believers. In Ephesians 5, he encourages us to:
Walk in love.
Avoid sexual immorality.
Be mindful of our speech.
Pursue what is good, right, and true.
Give thanks.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
The Bible is filled with God’s wisdom for living an abundant and meaningful life. He desires what is best for us and calls us to lay down our own ways in exchange for His. His ways lead to life, while our broken ways often lead us toward distraction, confusion, and pain.
Reading these instructions may sound simple, but living them out can be difficult. Loving others is hard when they are unkind to us. And if I’m being honest, controlling my words can be a daily struggle. My mouth can be both one of my greatest strengths and one of my biggest weaknesses.
Following God requires intentionality. We must spend time with Him, learn His ways, and then actively choose to apply those truths to our lives every day.
I have also discovered that I cannot do this alone. Jesus modeled life in community, and I believe that is why small groups are so important. It is within close Christian community that we find encouragement, accountability, and support. Those are essential ingredients for growing as imitators of God.
At Venture, we have House Churches throughout the city where people can gather, grow, and pursue Christ together. One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the spiritual family I have found through House Church. Their love, encouragement, and accountability help me stay focused on becoming more like Jesus.
Today, I want to challenge you. Ask the people closest to you whether they see the character of God reflected in your life. What qualities remind them of Jesus? What areas do they believe still need growth?
If you are willing to humbly receive that feedback and allow God to shape you, it can be life-changing. Not only will it transform you, but it will also impact those around you. As we walk closely with God and become more like Him, people who are far from Him are often drawn to what they see in us.
May we live in such a way that we are ready to introduce others to our Father. Imitate God.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.