“As Devoted Children”

Every year on July 4th, I watch the 1975 classic Jaws. I know; that probably seems like a strange Independence Day tradition. However, the film does take place over the Independence Day holiday. As I’ve often said before, God uses strange situations to teach me about Him, and this was no exception.

I have recently been reading Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church. In chapter five, Paul says that we are to “be imitators of God, as beloved children.” I’ve read this verse a number of times and skipped over the significance of the wording. 

What Jaws tells us about fatherhood

There is a tender scene in Jaws (trust me, there is) where Roy Scheider’s character Sheriff Brody is sitting at dinner with his young son. As the scene unfolds, the son imitates the movements of his dad. When Brody notices, he starts to play along. It is a moment in the film that reminds Brody of what he needs to do and who he needs to protect.

You see, beloved children who love their fathers imitate their fathers. The same goes for mothers too. As children, we do it deliberately as well as unconsciously. As devoted children of God, we will become imitators of God deliberately by pursuing what He values. We will also become imitators of Him simply as we spend more and more time with Him in relationship. 

My father’s son

Five years ago, my father passed away. In some ways, it feels like an eternity has passed. In others, his death and that grief seem ever-present. Sadly, I know many readers will nod knowingly at this. My good friend Erik Rebstock led the memorial service, and to prepare he spoke with my dad’s wife to learn more about him and his life. Because of my dad’s distance and the years of failing health, my close friend had never met him.

As Erik spoke at the service and described what my dad loved to do, his personality traits, and what he valued, he suddenly stopped. He said to the people gathered to honor and remember my dad that he felt as if he was describing me; those same interests, traits, and values were shared with me, my dad’s son. I had never thought of it quite that way, but it was true. Over the years, I had become an imitator of my dad.

If I’m honest, along with the wonderful traits of my dad, I picked up on some of his less-than-admirable ones as well. Again, when we imitate, we do so both deliberately and unconsciously. 

How will you be imitated?

So, the question is, what are our children picking up deliberately and unconsciously from us? Maybe you don’t have children. However, we are all in positions of influence and being influenced. What is being deliberately taught by us and to us? What is unconsciously being caught?

As Andy Stanley said recently, many of us like our parents, but we may not want to BE like our parents. Let us strive to be parents, bosses, leaders that others would desire to imitate, and for the right reasons.