Amy Meyer Allen's most recent children's book, Humble Heart: a Book of Virtues has been published by Tyndale House Publishers. Her passion is to share how God's powerful Word can transform lives. Amy and her husband, Tim, have testified on The 700 Club to how God redeemed their lives and marriage. Amy also contributes to a spiritual life blog on CBN.com. Find Amy's artwork on www.humblebumbles.com and Amy and Tim's marriage testimony on www.aredeemedmarriage.com.
In our world, there are many imitators, but few true leaders. Kids, even adults, want to "be somebody" so they follow the most prominent example they see: Hollywood stars, pro athletes, singers, etc. But unless these people are following a greater example themselves, they are doomed to fail and disappoint us someday. Those of us watching and imitating may go right along with them.
For example, just a few months shy of my 30th birthday, my world came crashing down around me when my husband, one of the people I had looked up to and followed as an example, betrayed me. His betrayal shook my whole world. Until it happened, I hadn't realized I had put him on a pedestal and was following his lead in regards to how I lived my life. It has been said that true character is revealed by what someone does even when no one is watching. I discovered he was leading a double life. Suddenly, I had no desire to be anywhere near him, let alone follow him.
Thankfully, during that devastating time in my life, God stepped in and showed me His character through His Word. Over time, as I learned more about Him, I realized that He is the one I should be following, imitating, because His character is perfect. His love is perfect; so is His peace, His joy, and His compassion.
The Bible is full of examples of Jesus' character and how He lived:
He always sought to do God's will and not His own. (
Luke 22:42
"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
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He did the work His Father gave Him to do. (
John 17:4
I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
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He found time to be alone with God and pray. (
Matthew 14:23
After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
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He used God's Word as His authority and offensive weapon. (
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil* came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say,`People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'*" Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,`He will order his angels to protect you.And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'*" Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, `You must not test the LORD your God.'*" Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me." "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say,`You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'*" Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
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He loved unconditionally. (
Mark 10:21
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," he told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
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He gave everything He had. (
John 19:30
When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.
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He didn't retaliate, threaten, or seek His own justice. (
1 Peter 2:23
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
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He was humble, obedient and made Himself a servant. (
Philippians 2:5-8
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God,* he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges*; he took the humble position of a slave* and was born as a human being.When he appeared in human form,* he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.
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By imitating Jesus and not people, God changed my character. He did the same for my husband. Over time, we have learned to love each other sacrificially, just as Jesus does with us.
I want to follow Jesus and let Him change me from the inside out to be more like Him. I'm tired of imitating people who are just fellow sinners like me. I want to set my sights high and strive to be more like the One who created me!
Father, help me to look to Jesus as my example. Show me my sin and areas of my life and character that need improvement. Help me imitate You.
