“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1, RSV
There was a girl on the first cross-country team I coached who was as far from being a runner as I could imagine. Julie walked with an unusual gait that seemed to indicate there was perhaps a physical impairment. At our first practice, she could barely run 100 meters, much less the 4 kilometers of a race. Each day I’d run with her, showing her how to position her arms and keep her posture upright. As she imitated my running form and that of her peers, she ran farther. I’ll never forget the joy on her face each time she finished a race! Her running—as well as her walking—improved, so that by the season’s end, her “impairment” had disappeared.
Later I learned from Julie’s mom that her whole life she had imitated the gait of her dad who had a physical disability. It was only when she patterned her motions after us that she could walk and run well.
In Ephesians Paul reminds us that to walk in a way worthy of Christ, we must imitate Christ’s love, mercy, and grace. When we do, our old ways vanish, and we are changed more into His likeness.
Later I learned from Julie’s mom that her whole life she had imitated the gait of her dad who had a physical disability. It was only when she patterned her motions after us that she could walk and run well.
In Ephesians Paul reminds us that to walk in a way worthy of Christ, we must imitate Christ’s love, mercy, and grace. When we do, our old ways vanish, and we are changed more into His likeness.
Scripture Focus
Ephesians 5:1-2
Insight
Be imitators of Christ, knowing He carries you through to the end when you’ll hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Bible In A Year
- 2 Chronicles 17-18
- Psalm 16
- Matthew 23
