Imitator

Since school has once again come to an end, I have seemed to have a lot of down time to think and reflect on things. Lately I have been thinking about my family and more importantly my brother. He is about to graduate high school and start a whole new chapter in his life. The one thing looking back that I wish I would have done differently was had a better and closer relationship with God before entering college.

When I got ready to leave for college, I was not only leaving my family, but I was also leaving my town (which I knew everyone), all of my friends, and the town itself (which I knew my way around with my eyes closed). I was scared out of my mind and being four hours from home seemed so far away! During those first few weeks of school while trying to adjust to a new area, classes, and work on making friends I had to rely on the help of God so much, more than I have ever had to before! But looking back on the transition and where it has led me to today I wouldn’t have changed a thing! My hope for my brother is that he will get involved and have the same kind of experience I have had.

I want him to become a Man of God; someone who is so intentional with God before interacting with anyone else. I hope he is so strong in his faith that nothing can pry him from the rock he stands firm on. I hope that he uses Gods words when he speaks to others and begins makes new relationships. I want him to be the kind of guy a girl wants and is proud to date, as well as be the guy a true Woman of God needs in her life. I have seen and watched so many great relationships grow while in college and I love watching how the guy treats the girl; that’s what I hope for in my brother.

While thinking about what I wanted to see out of my brother, my conscious came over me and said “Well, are you the “Woman of God” that you should be? You keep wanting all of these things for your brother, but are you being the example he needs and applying this to your own life?” That was a big eye opener for me! “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” ~ 1 Peter 2:21 This verse is so great! We are to follow in Christ footsteps. He is the one we should want to be like, live like, and serve like. He has given us all so many great qualities and equipped us in a way that we can accomplish his plan for us!

So as for me, I look at my life differently now. I look at each moment in a special way, I look at each person I meet as someone so unique and different, and I look at each opportunity to serve as a pleasure and a delight! This has given me such a boost of encouragement and a challenge to work on every day! I hope that you take time to look down into your everyday life. See who you come in contact with that you may regularly try to avoid and what opportunities you let pass you up. Think about the relationships you are building with others are they just between you and the other person or is God the center and helping them grow? I encourage you to be the Man or Woman of God that God wants you to be! “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:1