“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.” 
Ephesians 5:1 NLT

My phone made the familiar whistle sound notifying me of a text. Enjoying a few days of vacation, my daughter was sharing a beach picture of her hubby, Ed, and their oldest, Lucia. He was enjoying the vast beauty of the ocean, so Lucia had followed suit in mimicking her father’s stance. There was no mistaking that Lucia was her father’s child (see the picture).

What a clear visual this illustrated of the resemblance between God and His children. For the followers of Christ, the Scriptures speak of imitating God; reflecting His glory; walking as Christ walked. We have been created in the very image of God. We are to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ; to put Him on; to be changed into His glorious likeness.

In the everyday reality of life, do others recognize that you are a child of the King? Do your actions emulate those of the humble, meek, and loving Son of God? Can kindness, compassion, and joy be seen on your face because you favor the Father? When you speak are your words encouraging, truthful, and filled with grace like those uttered by Jesus?

Simply put, we need to be looking and acting like our Father. That will only happen when we spend lots of time with Him just like a child with their parent. Watching. Listening. Drawing close. Loving. Trusting. Imitating.

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a  life of love…His love was not cautious but extravagant… Love like that. Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG

[Digging deeper – John 13:15; Romans 8:29, 13:14; 2 Cor. 3:18, 5:17; Eph. 4:24; 1 John 2:6]

Longing to be like Him,

Beverly <><