Our little granddaughter Bella is taking dance classes. One of her favourite song and dance routines is to the song “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé, which has the words;
“Wuh uh oh uh uh oh oh uh oh uh uh oh
All the single ladies (All the single ladies)
All the single ladies (All the single ladies)
Now put your hands up”
Our granddaughter, like most children of her age, is a little mimic. She often copies what she sees and hears, which can be a good and bad trait. Good, if what she is seeing and hearing is beneficial and edifying to her, and not so great if what she is hearing and watching is damaging or detrimental to whom she is, and is growing to become. Fortunately her parents, extended family and others in her world love and adore her, and seek to only surround her with goodness and joy. For this reason she is learning to imitate joy and love.
The bible has some words of wisdom when it comes to being a mimic. The word used is imitate. Imitate means to “emulate, copy, to model oneself on, and to follow the example of”.
We are exhorted to “Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.” (Ephesians 5:1)
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)
Today ask yourself, “who are you mimicking or imitating?” Is it people who edify and build up; that help you to be the best person you can be? That encourage you to be kind; to look for the good, to be compassionate and loving?
Are you seeking to be more like Jesus, and endeavouring to copy His example of love, kindness and compassion? He doesn’t expect us to do it alone. Just as Bella learns to copy those around her, and is helped along in her dancing skills by her energetic dancing aunties; Jesus also equips, encourages and gives us the ability to imitate Him. He gives us the capacity and love in our hearts when we ask Him into our lives. We are transformed to be like Him. It then comes naturally, as we spend time with Him, and with those who love and know Him too. Just as it seems to come naturally to little Bella to imitate and do the single lady dance.
So, who do you mimic or imitate? And who is seeking to imitate you?
Prayer: Lord please help me to imitate you, and those who set an example and lifestyle worth imitating. Help me to be more aware of what I am seeing and hearing so that I only surround myself with those things that are beneficial and full of goodness and joy wherever possible. In Jesus name Amen.