Instinct to Imitate

Growing Daily

Instinct to Imitate

There’s a little boy at my church who wears a bright yellow safety vest every Sunday because his dad serves in the parking lot.  It’s adorable to watch him imitate someone he admires as he proudly follows his dad around.  His instinct to imitate captures a simple truth:  who we follow shapes who we become.

As children grow up, that instinct isn’t always harmless.  We cringe when older kids copy the crude language and poor behavior of celebrities and influencers.  We can easily see why Psalm 135:15-18 warns that those who look to idols will become like them.

When we look to the right examples, imitation becomes beautiful. Just as that little boy learns from his father, we grow spiritually by imitating Christ.  Paul encourages us in 1 Corinthians 11:1, saying, “You should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”  This calls us to reflect deeply on whether our own lives mirror that pattern.

Following Jesus isn’t just avoiding what’s wrong; it’s learning to model what’s right.  And as we begin to imitate His example, our words and choices reflect Him to others.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ…” Ephesians 5:1-2


- Catherine Reid