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“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.”  Ephesians 5:1-2a

Fashion trends come and go. But while they are current, we know exactly what they are, whether it’s skinny jeans or skinny ties, leggings with tunics, bell-bottoms, or shoulder pads. How do we know what’s hip? Well, all we have to do is look around: everyone’s doing it. Of course, today, we have Pinterest and social media to tell us how to stay in front of the fashion curve—from smooth hair and smooth foreheads to amplified backsides and amplified lips.

It’s human nature, isn’t it? To imitate others (for better or worse). We want to look, dress, sound, and act like what we deem as “now”—heaven forbid we use the wrong slang term or show up wearing last year’s (or last decade’s) style.

Most of this is chasing the superficial, but sometimes mirroring others is about wanting to improve ourselves. Perhaps there’s someone at work we admire, whether it’s their work ethic, career path, or position. If we want to attain that success, we will observe and follow suit. We will imitate that person (for better or worse).

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bashing the choices anyone makes regarding trend-following. I do plenty of it (although I like to be just to the left or right of it—those who know me well understand what I mean). But, as Christ-followers, we are called to aspire to a different Standard. We are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1).

That’s a tall order. The great news is that it involves similar action that we take regarding worldly trend-following—just using a different Source. Instead of checking out the latest fashion blog with instructions how to wear booties with leggings, open the Bible and read how to “wear” the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Exchange reading about how to not look foolish at the next party (which may take place in 2022 at the rate we’re going) and discover all that the Word of God has to say about how to not be a fool (Psalm 14:1, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Titus 3:3…and practically all the Proverbs).

The Bible is our ultimate Guidebook to what’s “eternally hip” in God’s eyes. Every chapter has insight into saying the right thing, doing the best thing, and being truly radiant wherever we go. In fact, becoming more like Christ as we walk through this world is what we’re tasked to do the moment we decide to trust Jesus and surrender to Him. The fancy theological word is sanctification, but we can just call it imitating Christ. And just as being a copycat to the latest trend has the power to potentially transform us, imitating Him will absolutely change us. And, sisters, it’s always for the better.

“Lord, may I follow the Truths in Your Word, as I walk through this world—imitating You so much so that I start a trend that others will follow.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life