“Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus….” Philippians 2:2-5

“Mooommmm! – he’s copying me!” Sound familiar? Telling my kids that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery never really solves the problem in my house. Probably because flattery sounds a little too much like flatulence and that takes the males in my household on an entirely different track.

But, imitating someone really is how we learn. Babies – from the time they are born learn by watching their parents and those around them. Teenagers – Oh!! For sure! Will do what you do – NOT what you say.

So – as we end the Manifesto series with the “Take Action” part of actionchurch’s creed – copying someone is exactly what we should be doing. Like we say here at actionchurch “We aren’t smart enough to make this stuff up! It’s in the bible”. Jesus said it!

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” John 13:12-15

Jesus was talking about feet – but he wasn’t just talking about feet! – Ya know? But being like Christ is hard! I mean – the guy was perfect after all! Geez. Honestly, some days I feel like it’s just too darn lofty of a goal. I fail – when I try to imitate Christ. Because I’m human. And then I feel like a failure. So, while I think that being like Christ should be our ultimate goal – I would also encourage you to start small…..start on a local level….find someone near you who is on the right path – someone who you know is in a right relationship with God and quite literally – mock them.

My mom was one of those people. She took action in small ways – every day. She didn’t just talk the talk in her relationship with Christ. She walked the walk.

If she saw someone who was cold – she didn’t wring her hands and fuss. She didn’t just say, we should pray about this. She went and she found them a coat….and gloves….and a hat.

If mom heard about someone who was hungry – she didn’t wait for an agency, or a group, or the government to help them- she would make a big pot of soup and deliver it to them personally.

So, from now on – when the kids and I come home from a serving event and my butt is dragging, and I get that side to side kind of bow legged walk that I have when I’m dead tire….when my arms are swinging all akimbo….and my husband quips….”you’re walking like your mom- I’m going to take that as a compliment.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”    1 Corinthians 11:1