Imitation

Did you know that one of the great things that make humans unique is our ability to imitate? Sure, other animals can imitate sounds (like parrots), basic movements (like apes), and songs (like whales), but humans take imitation to a whole different level.

Children learn how to talk on phones, put on make-up, and even to misbehave by imitating adults and other children. And we don’t finish imitating when we reach grade school. To become musicians we imitate Mozart, to become physicists we imitate Einstein, and to become chess grandmasters we imitate Kasparorov.

Being natural born imitators means that we have a responsibility to find the right person to model ourselves after.

No wonder Paul encouraged the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” Paul knew that the Corinthians needed someone holy to imitate, so that they might be more like Christ. Sometimes we need to look for that sort of person, who is actively imitating Christ and whom we may imitate in turn.

Look around you. Perhaps you know someone with a loving spirit and strong character. Pray that you might be more like him or her.

Dr. Curtis Lehmann

OC Christian Counseling

Breathe

Pause a second and pay attention to your breath. You are breathing every minute of your life and yet, most of the time, you don’t even notice. As you notice your breath right now, thank God for giving you that particular breath, allowing you to live.

There is also a spiritual practice that you can utilize any moment you become aware of your breath. As you exhale, simply confess your dependence upon God and any sin that is troubling you. Then, as you inhale, accept God’s forgiveness and allow God’s spirit to come into your mind, heart, and soul. Breathe in. Breathe out. Be thankful.

Dr. Curtis Lehmann

OC Christian Counseling

Inviting God Into the Moment

Right now, I would like you to take a minute to focus on what is around you, something other than this glowing screen. Perhaps you might see something new. Invite God into this moment. Ask God what He wants you to notice around you. Pray about what you see around you, even if the object seems trivial, and see what this opens up.

You may start praying about a water bottle but then finding yourself thanking God for clean water and praying for those who lack access. Simply tell God whatever grabs your attention and ask him to speak to you through that object. You may be surprised to find God can speak to you through even the most mundane things in your life.

Being Present

Have you been spending your day rushing from one thing to another? Sometimes we tend to fly through life so quickly that we hardly notice we are missing wonderful things. In the next few days, I would like to lead you in a few meditations meant to help you reawaken your awareness to the world you live in.

Look for the nearest window. Open the blinds or actually step outside if you need to or want to. Focus on something natural, something alive. It might be a flower, a tree, a bird, or even just the grass. Allow yourself to marvel at God’s creation. Imagine God creating that life with a stroke of a brush or with a sculptor’s chisel against clay. Notice any so-called imperfections in that life. Then notice how even the imperfections can be beautiful. You may even want to thank God for bringing that life to your attention. For the rest of your day, see if you can notice God’s creation this way again.

Dr. Curtis Lehmann

http://occhristiancounseling.com/staff/dr_curtis_lehmann.html