January 6
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1
Walking into my daughter’s classroom, the first thing I noticed was how she captivated some of her high school students’ attention. They looked at her as if mesmerized and followed her every move! This tiny, young woman, looking like a high school student herself, through her actions and words had earned their trust and respect. My other daughter, when teaching preschool, had little ones tripping over each other to get to her first; they all wanted to be with her! Nurtured by her gentle, light-hearted spirit, many who entered the class in tears, very quickly became confident knowing they were in safe hands. My son's children look up to this tall man in awe. They know they can count on their Dad to play sports outside, have fun in the snow making snow forts and snowmen, or teach them about the latest electronic "gizmo." Watching all my grandchildren look up to their parents is indescribable to me. These beloved little ones hang on to their moms and dads every word and action – even when no one thinks they are! Secure in the love of my children and their wonderful spouses, they reflect what they live. What fun it is too for me to sometimes see my son’s and daughters’ behaviors reflected in their little ones; it’s déjà-vu for me!
Oh to be a child again - a “beloved child,” blindly following after that significant person in life or older sibling, and looking up to them in awe. Remember that? When we were small, there was an inner drive to emulate the behavior seen; whatever was being done that caught our attention. We yearned to be just like those we looked up to, and our childlike interpretation of what we witnessed (good and bad) reflected that. As we grew, so did the area of influence: friends, teachers, religious figures, other family members, movie stars and those in the media, etc. made an impression on us. It is part of our nature that we desire to be like those we look up to, and certainly even as adults, we still continue to be influenced by the company we keep and society’s inclination. How we underestimate the effect we have on one another!
How can we be a positive influence on those around us? How can we be good examples for little ones (and not so little) to look up to? How can we be “imitators of God?” In Ephesians we are given direction. We are not blindly going forward. We are told how God wants us to live and we are shown by Jesus example. It is a plan that enables us to live peacefully, fully and in love; a plan that enriches us and helps our actions to be more God centered; with the hope that what we do mirrors a glimpse of God’s reflection. We are God’s beloved children. Are we looking up to Him in awe? Are we following “God’s example” or are we caught up in worldly behavior?
Lord, help us mirror your love, to recognize our responsibility in being examples of Your teachings in our lives. How we look up to you in awe!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson