Saturday, February 23, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Kid Kidnapper

1 Corinthians 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

I was about 3-years-old when Heather tried to steal me from the babysitter's house. She boldly told my mother that she wanted to take me home and raise me.

I guess this kind of behavior would have been offensive to a young mother, but instead, my mom just laughed, put me in my car seat and politely said, "I'm sorry Heather. Rachelle is MY baby." Heather walked away with her head down, and THEN her mom put Heather into her car seat as well!

My little friend Heather was simply trying to "imitate" the role of a mother by trying to take care of me. Children LOVE to repeat the things we say and do. Sometimes, it can be adorable. Other times, we quickly try to take our words back. Of course, no matter how hard we try, it seems as if those words are their new favorites!

Today's verse is BOLDLY written by Paul. He is encouraging the church to "imitate" him as he "imitates" Jesus Christ. Paul is so confident in his relationship with God that he is encouraging others to imitate him. Wow!

When evaluating your obedience to God and your relationship with Him, would you be comfortable with others imitating you? Would you encourage someone to speak as you speak, watch what you watch, go where you go, read what you read, respond as you respond, forgive as you forgive, love as you love...

Jesus tells us in Matthews 5 that we are "the light of the world." As His followers, our lives should be the very thing that "lights" the path for others to find a relationship with Him.

While this may seem like an overwhelming task, I believe that John the Baptist had a great plan in his quest to "imitate" the love of Jesus Christ. John 3:30 says "He must become greater; I must become less."

None of us are perfect, and there will be times that we say or do things that we hope no one imitates.

However, I challenge you to take John's approach. Do something each day to make God "greater" in your life. Read your Bible, pray, share His love... By doing so, the things in our lives that are not worth imitating will become "less."

Dear Lord, I desire for others to see You in my life. Fill me with Your Spirit, love and conviction that I may serve You greater and be a positive spiritual influence for others to imitate.

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.