Mini Me

When my son was small, he looked just like a mini version of his father. (Because David and I look like we could be brother and sister, rather than husband-and-wife, he does look a little like me too.) When he would put on daddy’s boots and take on some of the mannerisms of his father, it was quite adorable. In recent years, the term “mini me” has been coined to refer to this similarity in appearance and behavior.

Recently a friend of mine took pictures of her husband and young son. The two were dressed very similarly and off on a father/son outing. The little one was so proud to look like daddy and so excited to be doing the same things that daddy does. He was daddy’s “mini me” and proud of it.

Do we attempt to be a “mini me” of our Heavenly Father? Jesus was our best example of this behavior. Although He is God, He took on the form of man while here on earth. (See Ephesians 2:6-7) When asked about His behavior and actions, “So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].” (John 5:19 AMP) As a result of this imitating behavior, Scripture tells us, “How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 AMP) As we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow the inner leading of God, we will go about spreading His love and doing good to those around us.

Do we live a lifestyle of imitating Jesus Christ? Do we go about doing good for others? To his faithful followers Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.” (John 13:34 AMP) This type of love is always giving. It is always forgiving and it is always others centered. “Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.  Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]” (Philippians 2:4-5 AMP) Yes, we let Jesus be our example and we imitate Him. We strive to grow in and display same type of selfless love that Jesus showed while He walked here on earth.

In order to be a “mini me,” we must observe the behaviors and characteristics of our Heavenly Father. We can accomplish this by spending time in prayer and studying the word of God. This is not an action, but rather a lifestyle. “Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.” (1 John 2:6 AMP) When we abide in Jesus, we make our home with and remain in Him. This is not just casual contact, but rather living in the same house and spending much time together every day. This allows ample time to observe the actions, motivations and very nature of God. It becomes second natue to begin to follow these and soon we look and act like Him.

As we take on the characteristics of our Father, we reach out to others with grace, mercy and compassion. The motivation behind our actions is always to benefit others. “And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.” (Ephesians 4:32- 5:1-2 AMP)

Soon we will look in the mirror and see not only our own faces, but a little more of the resemblance of our Father and leader. Others will look at us and see our actions and be reminded of the love of God. Like a little child we may be clumsy and display only a rough copy of God’s love, but the emerging behaviors will soon look more and more like the perfect love of Christ.

Look to your Heavenly Father and decide in your heart to become His “mini me” today.