When I was young my best friend, Stephanie, and I would have this habit of recreating movies that we saw. I'm sure most kids did it. I remember going to see Rookie of the Year, and immediately coming home to play baseball. We became convinced that if we just broke our arm in the right place, we would be able to pitch like the character in the movie. Or when we went to see Wild America, we went home to become the next great nature film makers. My folks tell me because of this habit they were worried when we went to see Patch Adams.
And especially as a little boy, we want to become the superheros we admire. If I could just get bit the right radio active spider...
Ah, those were the days.
And of course it didn't stop with just movies or television. We became what we saw in our parents. We really are imitators of our role models, be it for better or for worse. I very distinctly remember when I stopped having a short temper. It was in 9th grade in the weeks after a fight, ironically enough. But what didn't strike me until years later is why I stopped having a short temper: It was around the same time my dad stopped having a short temper.
Is this ability to so easily imitate what we see,the reason why Jesus calls us to come to Him as children? I always thought it was because of the innocence of a child; the ability to believe so easily. Their inability to be hurt when they get knocked down. Yeah, they'll cry. But more times than not their quick to get back up and keep going. Or because of their blunt honesty. But maybe it's because more than anything else, children are excellent imitators.
I've come to realize recently how often I still imitate what I see around me. Anyone who knows me knows I quote a lot of movies, and a lot of TV shows. That is, by definition, imitating those things. But what struck me so hard today was the sad truth of how rarely I choose to imitate Christ. He calls us, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
When I step back to understand the depth of how I've been loved, I get an even better understanding of the shallowness of my own love. When Jesus said these words, He had just got done washing His disciples feet. Scripture says that it was in this moment that He showed the "full extent of His love" (John 13:1) which I love because if you asked me, I'd say the cross was the full extent of His love. Nay, it was here. It was when He humbled Himself to get down and serve those who called Him Master, and Lord. The cross is a result of this love, but this act is the start of seeing Agape, or Godly, love. That love got Him killed. Why? Because that kind of love is dangerous. I heard a quote years ago that stuck with me: "They wouldn't crucify Mr. Rogers." In other words, we all think Jesus' love as this hippie, love everyone, be nothing but friendly sort of thing. And while it has those characteristics, it's more wild and dangerous than people imagine.
See, when we love so openly and so humbly people get scared. In our world, and especially our society, we're not used to serving being a lifestyle. We think of service as a lowly thing. If you say just the word service to someone, I'm willing to bet they want to know what it is they're being served... not what they themselves are serving.
Ephesians 5:1 says, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." This verse ran through my head I don't know how many times tonight. As a child of God, am I an imitator of my Father? Hardly.
Then I started thinking of a lecture given by Jeffery Overstreet, who is an author and great storyteller. (It's 45 minutes long, but well worth the time to watch. It's at vimeo.com/14969953) In the lecture, he talks about the importance of sharing stories. As Americans, we are a nation of consumers rather than sharers. This struck a chord with me. There are countless books I read and never share. I'm usually reading three or four books at a time, not including the Bible. But how amazing would it be if those who read often, shared often? If something speaks to you in story, share it in life! Jesus thought the same way. If He wasn't telling us how to live and love, He was most certainly showing us.
Which brings me back to imitation. Ultimately, we are called to copy that which Christ did. We read of it, we see it in our lives on a daily basis, but do we show it? Can I imitate Christ more than I imitate movies? Can I move my desire to have the strength and power that we all flock to in superheros, and be completely content in who God made me to be?
Be imitators of love.
Be servants to humility.
Be more and more like Jesus Christ.
