Imitator of God

DEVOTION
EPHESIANS
IMITATOR OF GOD
Eph 5:1-2
5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
NIV
So then I am not supposed to imitate myself, but rather God. The one thing I do notice here which does seem a bit odd when I hear about the wrath of God is I should live a life of love like God does. Usually it is the unbelievers who bring up the God of the Old Testament as the God of wrath. But I actually do see the God of love all throughout the scriptures. He continued to rescue Israel over and over again demonstrating his love for them. He was always there for them whenever they called on him. What father allows his children to run wild without discipline? What father would ever just let his children grow up without and household rules? What father would not provide as much as he can for his children? What father would not love his children enough to die for their freedom? I certainly have always had that attitude toward my daughters. But this is more than just about me and my daughters. It is about having that same kind of love for everyone. This is going to be a bit more difficult than me and my daughters. There are people I just have a difficult time liking. Do I have to love them even though I don’t like them? Or am I supposed to like them too? I mean do I really have to give myself up for them? That is, do I have to put something I want to do on hold in order to help them out, to do something for them, even when I don’t like being around them? I think I had better check my attitude toward them first. If I am going to imitate God and love them enough to give up me for them, then I am going to have to start liking them also. I am going to have to see them through the eyes of God. I am going to have to want to be around them in order for them to experience the love of God through me. This is going to take some work, and not my work, but the work of the Holy Spirit, for without him I am not sure I can accomplish this change. I am not sure how long this is going to take either. How fast will he work toward this? How fast will I let him? Am I really willing to let him? If I want to be obedient to God I better. How else will I ever be an imitator of God?