To this day, my high school friends love imitating our old coaches. Every time we get together, I hear the best quotes in complete Keith Gardner fashion. (I often wonder if they imitate him when I’m not around.) My favorite has always been imitating our old head football coach, a dear man of God, Bill Hunter. “Boys, we’re gonna go out there tonight and we're gonna play some football! And if we play hard, we could win!"

No matter who I imitate, whether it’s accurate or not, there’s so much joy in it. I always find myself laughing until my stomach aches and smiling so big that my cheeks hurt. Imitation just seems to bring about some great memories. Am I right?

Imitating someone for just a moment brings abounding joy, yet who we imitate with our lives is vital.

Imitation seems to come up a few times each year for me, but I’m okay with it because of what’s stirred deep inside of me – an inconceivable desire to be just like Him.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 

It’s important that we imitate the right person.

Imitating who or what is easy, comfortable, or “in” is dangerous, idiotic actually. We must be wise in those we look up to, learn from, and give influence in our lives. Even those we let be a voice of wisdom or guidance must be truly imitating Him, or we end up playing with fire.

We can imitate others all we want, but eventually someone ends up at a loss. However, when we imitate the character and heart of Jesus and walk in love, giving ourselves freely, all benefit.

When it comes down to it the question is, who are you really imitating?