Creation Care Mom

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God” Ephesians 5:1-3 NLT

This was my verse of the day today. Can I say it’s a difficult one? What does that look like? Which qualities should I be imitating? “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22 NLT

There are many more qualities in the New Testament to imitate. Faith, Hope and Love. Mercy and Grace. Forgiveness. Humility. Generosity and Hospitality. Collaboration.

How does it look to imitate God in our modern world?

That question is loaded. It depends a lot on who you ask. The answers can look very countercultural. Fully dealing with that question is a lot to unpack. More than I have space for today.

My son is 20 months old now. He is always watching. What I model for him he is likely to copy. For some things that’s great. For instance, language. I model the correct words for his needs so that he can learn to communicate better. But, I’m no perfect parent. He’s full of understanding about phones, computers, and TVs because his parents use them so much. I don’t want him to ever believe that the screen is more important than him, but it is a struggle to use them correctly and not addictively.

When we go to meet ups with families of other young kids, or we’re out adventuring at the zoo or discovery center, he doesn’t know how to properly interact with other kids. Instead of a wave, its a headbutt, a tackling hug, or a hand to the face. He is too young to know better yet, but as his parent it is my responsibility to model for him and teach him appropriate greetings. Ones based in kindness and gentleness instead of violence. I know he will imitate me, and so I do my best to model the right way of living. For me, that right way is based on Jesus Christ.

Which takes me to being out in the world. If you haven’t noticed, the United States election season is heating up, and it comes with a lot of unkind and unloving behaviors. The advertising campaigns can be vicious. The social media posts can get out of control. Even from those who call themselves Christians. No matter who you intend to vote for, be mindful of the “fruits” that are coming from your lips. Our kids are watching. Our neighbors are watching. Our coworkers are watching.

There once was a time when Christians demanded the highest level of moral conduct from our political leaders. That has clearly changed. Depending on who ends up in office we will be sending a message. We could be sending the message to young boys like mine that your conduct doesn’t matter as long as you can master the art of lying and denying. You can cheat and rape and still be given the highest most powerful office in the land. OR to our young girls, with the most gender equal Olympics ever in the background, we could affirm once more that women are capable and qualified just as much as men, but also that democracy, decency, equality, and unity are the values we want our nation built upon. Our boys and girls are watching.

Whatever happens in the upcoming months, I fervently hope that our nation can find its way back. Moving away from fear. Back to love and compassion. Moving away from hatred. Back to kindness, goodness, and gentleness. Moving away from anger. Back to peace and patience. Moving away from violence. Back to self-control.

May we be imitators of Christ, filling our nation and the world with faith, hope, love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, humility, generosity, hospitality, and collaboration. For living, out these virtues changes the world much more than any single politician.