Copy Machine

We have a nice copier over at church so we can get the bulletins done. I believe it has the ability to automatically print one side, turn the paper over, and print the other side. It usually takes longer to do it that way so I never really use it. It is easier for me to do it manually... plus less likely to get papers jammed. I have a printer at home which pretty much is able to do the same thing only it is much harder to get it ready. When I bought it, I thought it was worth the savings to not get the touch screen, which would make it much easier to enter all the information I want it to do. I regret it now, but it doesn’t make sense to buy another as that would be wasteful. The printers are able to do the same things, but the harder it is to program, the less use it will get. When we read God’s word, it also tells us about coping. Not duplicating what is written on a paper, but seeking to be more Christlike. Wishing to be Christlike is not the same as walking with Him by faith. As we copy Christ, there are many ways that we can live that out, however, sometimes getting back to the basics is what needs to be done the most. The Apostle Paul (and others) call us to imitate them. They are both meant to lead us to the same place, but following another person can be much more challenging as they too are struggling with sin and making mistakes. Then God looks at us and tells us that we are meant to be living examples of faith. As we live out, duplicate, imitate, our life after Christ, there are others that are watching what we do. You may be the only message about God they may ever hear, see, and know. Like my copier at home, sometimes it is hard to be the right example to imitate. We have to understand, our lives should not be a series of activities that we do by our own power, but rather, led by the Holy Spirit, we become (are transformed) to be who God has called us to be. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5, “ Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 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.” It goes on to say we must walk away from worldly longings and be filled with things that are from our God. Father, We talk about being imitators, but too often we reflect the world better than we declare You. Help us! Amen