Friday, August 7, 2009

Imitators of God

This week has been a blur for me! It's been a very intense week of work as we put the final touches on the campus and prepare for the first day of school on Monday.

As I wandered around at open house last night and saw the rooms and hallways jammed full with children, teenagers, and parents, I couldn't help being excited about another year of opportunities to minister with our Skipstone families.

It was exciting to see how God has been working in some of our families over the summer..... some have found new jobs, entered new relationships, and had relationships restored. Many are really growing in their walk with God.

At the same time, I hurt with those who have experienced pain..... the loss of a job or career, the passing of a loved one or close friend, the pain of broken or fractured relationships, and the burden of trying to walk through life with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Many are in the midst of terrible struggles.

The contrast of emotions last night served as a fresh reminder to me of how much God has entrusted to this ministry. It's an overwhelming thought to consider that we will be held accountable for how faithfully we care for and shepherd the "flock" that we call the Skipstone family. Although at times we may wish it were just about providing an education or a great retreat, the reality is that we are called to make disciples. That calling demands far more than lesson plans, field trips, and another cool adventure!

The convicting truth is that we can't adequately answer the calling that God has given us..... unless we become imitators of God. How critically important it is for those who have been called to teach and lead to also be taught and led at the feet of Jesus! There is no one like Him, and our greatest calling should be to imitate Him - that's what the word "Christian" means - "like Christ".

So what does being an imitator of Christ look like? Well, it goes without saying that the standard is high! John Phillips said it this way "He never uttered a hasty, unkind, untrue, or frivolous word. He never entertained an impure thought. His talents never debased for selfish ends. His influence, never bad. His judgment, never wrong. He never had to apologize for anything that He did or retract a single word He said. He was never too late or too soon, never upset, never insipid, never shallow or afraid. . . He had absolute victory from the moment He drew his first breath in that Bethlehem barn until the moment He closed His eyes in death on the cross of Calvary.”

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

My prayer today... "Jesus help me be so much like you that people won't be able to tell us apart. Until that's true of me, help me be more like you today than I was yesterday and more like you tomorrow than I am today!"

Whatever It Takes,
Chip

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