My grandmother might be an angel. Intellectually I know this is not only impossible, but also idealistic, considering she is an imperfect human...though I have yet to see an imperfection with my own two eyes. In spite of what I know to be true, I have held Janet Detweiler in such high esteem in my mind and heart that it’s easy to attribute only good and honorable qualities to her character. She is determinedly patient, intrinsically gentle and nurturing, unreservedly generous in thought and action, and incomparably selfless. I have long admired these things about her and on many occasions expressed my single-minded desire to be just like her when I grow up. (Still TBD on when the “grown up” period of my life will begin).
Honestly, my grandmother is the bomb and you would all LOVE her if you spent five minutes with her...and yet something feels a little off about my elevation of her and desire to emulate her. The never-ending pondering of my mind begs me to ask the question, ‘Why?’
While I believe it’s good to have human role models to look up to and aspire after, Scripture is clear that our ultimate example and pursuit of imitation is God Himself, as imaged in Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”
Paul also makes it clear in 1 Corinthians that we are only to imitate him, and by extension other humans, insofar as they are following the example of Christ. “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (11:1).
My grandmother has throughout her life certainly exhibited Christ-like character and behavior and I feel confident that looking to her as an example of godliness is pure and profitable for me, and I also know deep down that my job is not to idolize her but to praise God for the reflection of Himself I see in her.
Can you identify your own Janet Detweiler? Who in your life sits on a platform above most others? Remember today that God alone deserves a platform in your life and all others who imitate Him well are serving as pointers to Him.
The song we’re introducing this month is a great reminder to me of God’s character. Find the descriptions as you listen and praise Him for the ways He is inimitably divine, and the ways we see His good character in the people you admire most.
Excited to sing this one with you for many years to come!
<3 Sarah
Lyrics
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What love could remember no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What patience would wait as we constantly roam
What Father, so tender, is calling us home
He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
