Imitation

I'm not quite sure where she comes up with these crazy ideas. I'm referring to my daughter, Jessica. Does anyone really know what goes on in the mind of a 12 year old girl? I'm sure I don't. Her latest stunt took place last night at the fall party for the church. I had asked Jessica a couple of days ago what she planned for her costume. She wouldn't tell me. So last night she shows up at the party dressed as … me! She had on an old pair of my tennis shoes, a pair of jeans, and one of my Harley Davidson t-shirts. She painted a goatee on her face and was wearing a motorcycle helmet because the bald wig she bought didn't quite work. Her friend Kate, came dressed as Robbie (our Youth Minister). She had a painted beard and wore a Chicago Cubs jersey.

Now I know what they say. "Imitation is the highest form of flattery." I suppose on some level I am flattered. But for the most part I just think my daughter's strange! (love ya Jess).

I guess I should be relieved because really she had to explain her costume to most people. I guess there aren't very many similarities between me and a 12 year old girl (even if she has painted a goatee on her face). That's a good thing.

None the less it got me thinking. We are called to imitate Christ.

"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

Unfortunately, just like Jessica, I think our imitation falls way short. People look at us and go, "Huh, I don't get it." Then we feebly try to explain, "I'm supposed to be like Jesus." They smirk and say, "Oh, now I see."

Maybe we need to remember that looking like Jesus isn't about going through the motions and doing the right things. Looking like Jesus is more about letting his influence flow through our lives to the point that we are transformed into his likeness (2 Cor 3:18).

Could it be that as we spend an increasing amount of time with Jesus and as we continue to submit more and more to his lordship … that then, and only then, will we be such a reflection of Jesus that when people see us they recognize Christ?

That's a little bit more than face paint and creativity.