Have you ever heard a mockingbird sing? This bird got its name because of its ability to “mock” or imitate the sounds of other birds it hears. The mockingbird often changes from one song to another as it imitates different birds. One was reported to have imitated as many as thirty-two different songs in ten minutes! It seems there is almost no limit to the number of songs a mockingbird can imitate. Many are able to learn at least one hundred eighty songs in a few months - some learn many more. There are “mockers” who have been heard singing for an hour without repeating songs. God has given His creatures amazing abilities!
The meaning of the word imitate is to copy something or someone. Sometimes we are able to learn kind and helpful things by copying the good examples of others - imitating what they do. But sadly, sometimes we copy things that aren’t good. The mockingbird is so good at copying sounds that it can imitate the not-so-pleasant sounds of scolding squirrels, croaking frogs and even screeching rusty gates. And like the mockingbird, sometimes we copy things that are unpleasant. Have you ever done something mean or hurtful because you saw somebody else doing it? Maybe you have said a naughty word after you heard one of your friends say the word. Those are not good things to copy.
It is always right to imitate good manners that we hear and see others using. How pleasant it is to hear “please” and “thank you” being used and to see those who show care and kindness to their own family members as well as to others.
If you love the Lord Jesus and have accepted Him as your very own Saviour, who do you imitate? And do you try to be a good example to other boys and girls who might imitate you? The Lord Jesus is the perfect example to copy, for He never sinned, never spoke a wrong or unkind word and never fought back. God’s Word tells us how we can be good examples even when we are young: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:1212Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)).
The Lord Jesus gives us examples to copy in other Christians. We are to follow those who are living a life pleasing to Him in all ways. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:11Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)). But the very best example to imitate is the Lord Jesus Himself. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us” (Ephesians 5:1212For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. (Ephesians 5:12)).
ML-08/24/2003