Okay. I admit it. I have the smartest grandchildren in the world. And I know I’m not biased.
Let me give you an example and I’m sure you’ll see my point. My four year old granddaughter can now write her name, her brother’s name, and the names of several other members of the family. And she’s learned this just by watching her mother do it.
But, I have to be honest, this is just a beginning compared to my two older grandsons (my granddaughter’s cousins) who are really smart and creative, as well. My oldest grandson just skipped a grade and is now in high school. And his younger brother is so smart that I really think school bores him.
And, then I got to thinking. These two oldest grandsons started out like their younger cousin by simply copying their parents’ example and writing words that they clearly did not fully understand when they first wrote them down. But, the fact is, they started out by simply copying what someone else did and now look where they are. I guess this is a pretty good indicator that my granddaughter will follow in their footsteps.
But, you say, your children or grandchildren learned the same way. “It’s not special,” you say. “That’s how kids start out writing and reading and even speaking,” you say. They just copy what someone else does until they figure it out and then expand this knowledge until they really understand what they’re doing. And, of course, you’re right. That’s how we all learn. We start out as nothing more than copycats until we can figure out all the details and actually know what we’re doing.
In the same way, we learn our faith. We start out by imitating those who have gone before us and who are more mature in their faith. We are, in effect, copycats. In Hebrews 6:12 we are told that if we want to “realize the full assurance of hope until the end,” we should “not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Like my granddaughter who has not reached the level of her cousins, she is following in a tried and true method to reach maturity. She is simply copying the example set by her parents and by others. I know she wants to excel like her cousins. And those of us who want to excel in our faith can use her example. In Hebrews 13:7 it says, “remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” In other words, as I do with many of the leaders in my church, I look to the men who have fruit on the vine and I imitate them.
Yes, I’m older and more mature than my granddaughter. But we’re never too old or too mature to grow and learn from others even while others are learning from us. So, are you a copycat? I know I am. And I’m glad to say, because I am, I’m learning more about God’s grace every day.
Thom Fishow
January 30, 2011