Crosspoint family,
I friend of mine is into watches. It seems like the bigger it is, the cooler it is.......to him anyway. He likes names like Breitling, Rolex, Bell & Ross, Omega and others. Here’s the funny thing though.....while he likes these top end brands, he doesn’t feel like he needs to actually own a real one. In fact, he LOVES the fakes?!?! Feiko, Folex, Fomega, etc. I don’t know why......but it makes me laugh. He’s probably the wiser for not spending lots of money on something that just marks off time as well as any cheap old Casio. Maybe what’s funny to me is how different we are in this regard. I don’t want to have one unless it’s real and genuine. I don’t want a knock-off of ANYTHING. Even if, by chance, it’s well made. I’d rather not have one at all. I just won’t accept imitations.
That’s OK with watches I guess......for people to have different preferences. Some like imitations......some don’t......who cares?!? But when it comes to faith, God is clear that imitations are not only acceptable but encouraged. You may have noted this passage from yesterday:
Philippians 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me; and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
Paul’s encouraging the Philippians to imitate himself!?!? And to watch those who walk well. It seems weird to me. Maybe because I don’t like imitations. But when I start really considering how we learn and grow, I realize how important imitation is. Maybe it’s a lad learning to shake someone’s hand by imitating his dad. Or a girl learning to be a lady by imitating her mom. Or a little-leager imitating Josh Hamilton at the plate or Dirk Nowitzki on the court. The little boy or girl doesn’t have a problem with imitating because they’re not old enough to be proud and pompous yet. It’s us adults that don’t like to humble ourselves by imitating anyone. Yet that’s how we learn and grow. Paul’s encouraging the Philippians to imitate his life and he can do that without being proud because he knows full well anything worthy of imitation in him came from the Lord.
Here’s how I personalize the concept. Were I satisfied with being a recreational cyclist, I’d likely ride by myself or with people generally in my ability group. If though, I want to grow, I need to ride with people better, stronger and faster than me. I need to ride with the imitatable knowing it’s the only way to improve. What goes along with that is heavy and regular doses of humble pie, but over time I find myself riding better than I would have had I not humbled myself. Pride would keep me from getting into cycling gear in the first place.......looking like a tootsie roll on wheels. Pride would keep me from riding with anyone faster or stronger....ever. Pride would keep me from being around anyone better than me at anything. Period. But humility, on the other hand, will escort me into places and relationships of imitation that will result in growth for the glory of God.
Here are some other passages reinforcing this important principal:
2Th. 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,
2Th. 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
Heb. 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
3John 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
So here’s the encouragement. Imitate those who lead their families well. Imitate those who love their husbands well. Imitate those who parent well......or obey and honor their parents well. Imitate those who share their faith well. Imitate those who are salty, bright and aromatic in dark and difficult places. Imitate those who relentlessly go to God in trial and triumph. Imitate the imitatable in others........for your growth and for His glory.
Have a golden day. :)
Ben McGraw
