Authentic Leaders Are Led
Be an Imitator – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 5:2-7

Key Verse:  Ephesians 5:1

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us to be imitators—imitators of God.  Webster’s definition of the word imitate says that it is to follow as a pattern, model, or example.  In other words, when we imitate we resemble the original!

            Authentic leadership does include a lot of imitating on the part of a spiritually driven leader.  We follow the model—the pattern that we read about in God’s Word.  It may seem opposite of authentic because our flesh wants to do one thing but our spirit determines to imitate God’s pattern.  In this situation we may not feel real, but we are imitating in order to become more like God Himself.  This feeling that it is not really us being that good is not a bad thing.  If we begin to think that it is us, pride can sneak in and build a false confidence in ourselves.  Remember the Lord’s words to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “…my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

            The bottom line is that to be a positive influence on our family and friends, we must act like God even though we feel like the devil!  When we are having a bad day, we need to draw heavily on our model, Jesus, to stay consistent in our lifestyle!  Imitate the characteristics of Jesus, realizing that most of the time you won’t feel it’s really how you feel!  Before long, it makes you into the person you want to be.

Father, guard my words and behavior today.  Remind me to be kind when I feel like being mean.  Remind me to imitate you in all my ways.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.