"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
I love birds. Just ask my husband and/or my grown children, who have been "regaled" with my observations of the bird behavior in my backyard, or in the pond next to the pharmacy drive-thru, or anywhere I happen to notice them. When I was a girl in California, we had mockingbirds as regular visitors to our yard. They loved to torment my white cat, Daisy Mae, by flying low and pecking her sunburnt ears. However, one afternoon I went outside and found my cat with the usual bloody ears, but surrounded by mockingbird feathers. I'm sure she was smiling, and the birds didn't bother her anymore . . .but back to my point.
Besides the cat vs. mockingbird match, my brother and I found that we could "teach" the mockingbird to whistle. These birds are fantastic mimics, and have even made a "meow" sound that sounds almost real! We were so proud of ouselves the summer we "taught" the mockingbird to "wolf whistle." All we had to do was to make the same sound over and over often enough. Eventually, we would hear the same sound called back to us. Patience and time, and the birds natural ability to mimic what he heard would take over (and yes, this all happened in the 20th century -- I'm not that old)
How can we possibly be imitators (or mimics) of God? We can't, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We can't, without immersing ourselves in God's Word, so that we know what He is like; what His desires are; what pleases Him. We can't, without the "sold out" commitment to live our lives by God's values, and not our own; to become God's servant, and not our own master.
Why should we choose to be an imitator of God? Why should living a life of love be our motive? Because we are dearly loved children; because Jesus offered his very life in our place. So few words; so much emotion; so great lengths that God reached to have relationship with man.
The phrase "fragrant offering" especially struck me. What kind of life is my offering to God? Is it the fragrant scent of sacrificial love, generosity, trust in my Heavenly Father who loves me so completely and has my good and my best in His plan?
Or, is my "offering" the smelly, disgusting pile of bitterness, self-righteousness, unforgiveness, selfishness and greed?
What are you offering? Is it fragrant, like a fine perfume or incense; or is it "fragrant" like the resident skunk who has decided to frequent my backyard. . .?
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