Watching Father
by Malcolm Wood
As a family we’ve recently celebrated our grand-daughter’s first birthday. It’s amazing how quickly the last twelve months seem to have passed. It’s been fascinating to watch how little Abigail has grown and developed from that tiny bundle in her father’s arms to a small person who’s now walking and beginning to explore the big wide world.
One interesting aspect of our grand-daughter’s development is her awareness of what’s going on around her, and her desire to copy what others are doing. Wave and she’ll wave. Clap and she’ll clap. Reach out and she’ll reach out.
Being able to copy or imitate is an important ability which God has set within each one of us. From babyhood it helps us in the learning process of life. Unfortunately it’s just as easy to copy wrong examples as good ones. Little babies and small children know no better, and they copy everything they see, the good and the not so good.
In this celebrity conscious society many are held up as role models for others to emulate. But sometimes this has disastrous consequences. Those of us who’re older have an awesome responsibility to influence those who’re younger, in acts of goodness and righteousness.
However, the verse above reminds us all that, whatever our age, we’re God’s children, and we should be imitating Him in everything. There’s so much around us that tries to get us to conform to the world’s pattern - to be acceptable and politically correct. If our eyes aren’t on our Father God, and we’re not watching and listening to Him, it’s all too easy to copy the ways of the world.
Jesus, God in human form, came to earth so we could see what Father God is like. And as we look to Him, the words of Paul ring in our ears ‘have the same mindset as Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:5). As we model ourselves on Christ His words come to mind, ‘Truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the father does the Son also does. For the father loves the Son and shows him all he does’ (John 5:19-20). We so often do our own thing rather than what the Father wants us to do. Let’s keep watching Him!
Prayer: Dear Father, I’m sorry for not always doing the things You want me to do. Please forgive me and help me to keep my eyes on You. Please help me to do only those things which please You. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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