We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:12 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, I remember growing up, how nobody wanted to be called a “copycat.” To be seen as one meant two things about you. First it meant you lacked creativity. For us “youngins” that meant that you were boring and not original. But second, it meant that you were trying to be like someone else, mostly because you were boring and not original. Funny that it was never viewed as a compliment to the one being copied but a slam to the one copying.
Yet, when it comes to the things of You, copying You and those who reflect Your presence in their life is not just a good thing. It is a great thing. You admonish me in Your word to imitate You (Ephesians 5:1) – to love like You love, give like You give, to forgive like You forgive. And You graciously raise up examples all around me of people doing just that. My life is better because You have put people in my life who pour into me, strengthening me up when I am weak, holding me up when I am down, comforting me through the storms. I am never completely without someone who is a living example of what it means to be Christlike.
Help me today to follow their example. My soul hears Paul’s admonishment to follow him as he follows You (1 Corinthians 11:1). I see Your fingerprints all over their lives, how they are inheriting even now Your promise of peace, joy, and contentment. Continue to raise up individuals in my life whom I might emulate, following their godly example, learning, living and loving like You, to Your glory. Fill me with Your Spirit and enable me to be that person to someone else, a role model of what it means to live a Christ-centered, godly life, that together we might all reflect what it means to be the body of Christ. Lord, I have no problem being a copycat of those who look like You. Thank You for not leaving me without living examples. Amen.