Our little grandson, visiting us on the farm, was excited to see the tractor, but it was noisier than he expected so he observed from a safe distance. Apparently, tractors on TV smiled and talked. He watched his grandpa wrap a chain around a stump to pull it out with the tractor. The little lad was intensely interested. After the job was finished, our grandson took the chain and imitated his grandpa by wrapping it around anything he could find. I can only guess what he was imagining, but his imitation was as sincere as his observation.
Six months later, he was watching some workers try to remove overgrown juniper bushes from their front yard in Calgary. Our grandson told his mom a few times, “They need a chain, mommy.” Finally, this four-year-old went outside and told the worker, “You need a chain.” Believe it or not, the workers went and got a chain.
Peter writes to the Philippians, encouraging them to observe and imitate the lifestyle of the disciples, a lifestyle of citizens of heaven. Any other path leads to tears, shame and frustration.
Dear Lord, surround me with your Spirit. Help me live according to your word. Let me observe those who love you, that mine may be a life worthy of imitation. Amen. —