Walk in His Steps
02/27/2026
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.”
— Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)
There is something both humbling and powerful about imitation.
I remember watching my girls when they were little. If I folded my arms, they folded theirs. If I raised my hands in worship, they lifted theirs a little higher. Children don’t just listen to instructions, they mirror identity. They imitate who they know they belong to.
Paul writes, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.” Notice he does not say, “Imitate God so He will love you.” He says imitate Him because you are already dearly loved.
That changes everything.
We don’t follow God out of fear. We follow Him out of family.
When a child feels secure in their father’s love, obedience isn’t forced, it’s formed. They want to be like the one they trust. In the same way, when we truly grasp that we are sons and daughters of the King, our lives begin to reflect His character. His patience shapes our responses. His mercy softens our words. His generosity stretches our hands open.
To “follow God’s example” means we ask in real moments:
What would love do here?
How would grace respond?
What would holiness look like in this decision?
Imitation becomes worship in motion.
I was at a conference recently and met a man who told me, the he just didn’t feel spiritual enough. It was as if he was trying harder and harder to measure up. So I reminded him that spiritual maturity is not about striving to impress God. It’s about staying close enough to resemble Him. The more time we spend in His presence, the more His likeness quietly forms in us.
Children don’t strain to resemble their parents. It happens naturally over time.
You are dearly loved. And because you are loved, you are called to reflect the One who loves you.
Action Steps:
* Take a moment this morning and thank God that you are His child before you ask Him for anything.
* Before responding in a tense conversation, pause and ask, “What would my Father do?”
* Choose one act of intentional kindness that mirrors His heart.
Today’s Challenge:
Let your life preach without words. In one difficult situation, choose to reflect your Father rather than your feelings.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that I am Your dearly loved child. Help me not to strive for Your approval but to live from it. Shape my words, my reactions, and my decisions so they mirror Your heart. May the world see Your character in me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.”
— Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)
There is something both humbling and powerful about imitation.
I remember watching my girls when they were little. If I folded my arms, they folded theirs. If I raised my hands in worship, they lifted theirs a little higher. Children don’t just listen to instructions, they mirror identity. They imitate who they know they belong to.
Paul writes, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.” Notice he does not say, “Imitate God so He will love you.” He says imitate Him because you are already dearly loved.
That changes everything.
We don’t follow God out of fear. We follow Him out of family.
When a child feels secure in their father’s love, obedience isn’t forced, it’s formed. They want to be like the one they trust. In the same way, when we truly grasp that we are sons and daughters of the King, our lives begin to reflect His character. His patience shapes our responses. His mercy softens our words. His generosity stretches our hands open.
To “follow God’s example” means we ask in real moments:
What would love do here?
How would grace respond?
What would holiness look like in this decision?
Imitation becomes worship in motion.
I was at a conference recently and met a man who told me, the he just didn’t feel spiritual enough. It was as if he was trying harder and harder to measure up. So I reminded him that spiritual maturity is not about striving to impress God. It’s about staying close enough to resemble Him. The more time we spend in His presence, the more His likeness quietly forms in us.
Children don’t strain to resemble their parents. It happens naturally over time.
You are dearly loved. And because you are loved, you are called to reflect the One who loves you.
Action Steps:
* Take a moment this morning and thank God that you are His child before you ask Him for anything.
* Before responding in a tense conversation, pause and ask, “What would my Father do?”
* Choose one act of intentional kindness that mirrors His heart.
Today’s Challenge:
Let your life preach without words. In one difficult situation, choose to reflect your Father rather than your feelings.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that I am Your dearly loved child. Help me not to strive for Your approval but to live from it. Shape my words, my reactions, and my decisions so they mirror Your heart. May the world see Your character in me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Embracing God’s New BeginningsRenewed, Not Worn DownThe Gift of Rest, Not a BurdenOne Thing I AskTransformed, Not ConformedArise and ShineFor His Glory in the OrdinaryChoosing Generosity Over ConvenienceAbide and Bear FruitDon’t Forget the BenefitsSetting an Example in Every SeasonLosing to LiveReady When He ComesThe Low Road That Leads to LifeWhere Your Heart Truly LivesThe God Who Sings Over YouRest That Goes Deeper Than SleepUnited in ChristHow Good and PleasantOvercome Evil with Active GoodThe Strong TowerActivated FaithNo Condemnation—Only FreedomThe Goodness Found in WaitingConfessing and RemainingUnder the Same SkyTeach Me to Walk in Your WillAnxious for NothingThere Is No Rock Like Our GodLiving the Word, Not Just Hearing ItStirred to Love
February
A Soul That Magnifies the LordStrong Where It Matters MostWalking Through the Darkest ValleyThe Golden WayA Word That Lifts the WeightRun With PurposeTraining for What LastsJoy That Grows Under PressureWhen Anxiety Multiplies, God SustainsRefined by the FireGrace That OverflowsStrength for Every SeasonUnashamed to Bear His NameDevoted to One AnotherThe Joy of a Righteous ChildWalking in LoveThe Glory That Fills the EarthFinish WellThe Pain That Produces PeaceOur Only AimThe Way, The Truth, The LifeStrength to Seek HimThe Whole Duty of ManTreasure Hidden in the FieldO Lord, You Are My GodDelight Yourself in the LordWalk in His Steps
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with Good
No Comments