“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do because you are His dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1 NLT)
Imitation is the highest form of flattery. It’s also how we grow into the children of God that we long to be. CS Lewis wrote of the importance of crawling close to Jesus in order to grow up into His image.
“The more of Jesus we perceive, the easier it is to put Him on.
We can imitate Him with that childlike simplicity
that keeps pretending until the pretending comes true.”
I think of Narnia and the oversized furs the children don as they enter the wardrobe. It represents a faith they’ll grow into, sons and daughters they’ll become if they follow Aslan to fullest extent.
Perhaps it is true for each of us? The Lord holds out robes of righteousness that we absolutely swim in without the education and sanctification found in lifelong pursuit of Him – our own Narnia of sorts – pushing us toward Christian maturity.
“…Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:14 NLT)
Lord, You offer us robes that do not yet fit. Pull us close and help us grow up into the son or daughter You’ve called us to be. Give us the courage to abandon our evil desires and instead, give ourselves wholly over to You. Amen.