The maxim "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery" was almost certainly coined when flattery was more highly thought of than it seems to be today. Yet, several popular versions of the Bible use a related term in 1 Corinthians 4:16, as in the ESV: "I urge you, then, be imitators of me."
    The New Testament provides us with several lists qualities of the Christian life. Jesus' beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10 pronounce blessing on poverty of spirit, grief over sin, meekness, a desire for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking and acceptance of persecution. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul encourages "walking" and "being led by the Spirit" in order to benefit from the "fruit of the Spirit, which he says includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness [and] self-control." Peter encourages us to "make every effort to supplement [our] faith" with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love" (2 Peter 1:3-11). A major thread tying these lists together is that they urge us to imitate Jesus Christ by including these worthy qualities in our lives.
    One version of what may be an apocryphal story about Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States (1923-1929), tells of a visitor who spent the night in the White House. Coming down for breakfast, he decided he would do everything the president did. As they were served coffee, he watched Coolidge pour coffee into a saucer. The guest did the same. The president sprinkled a little sugar into the saucer. The guest followed suit. Then he watched as Coolidge poured cream in and the visitor did the same. The president stirred it and he stirred it. Then the guest watched in utter astonishment as the president placed his saucer on the floor for the cat. The story doesn't reveal what the visitor did then.
    No doubt Coolidge had characteristics worthy of imitation, but no one provides the example of worthy living that Jesus did.
    However, regardless of how worthy the example or lofty the virtues intended for imitation, there are some hindrances that threaten to divert attention from personal, daily inventory. Three of these obstacles are:
    1. The pace of life. Our busy lives can crowd in and leave little time for spiritual inventory.
    2. Being satisfied with the status quo, or the way we're living now, even though we are not living as God wants. Learning ceases, curiosity is gone, and we get set in our ways. When spiritual growth stops, spiritual death is the inevitable result.
    3. Disorientation. It may be fatigue, frustration, anger or defensiveness, but something throws us out of line and we stop any kind of introspection.
    The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!" (Lamentations 3:40).