Humans as Imitators

To think of myself as a being that was formed as a reflection of my society makes me wonder if we are even capable, or for that matter, worthy of trying to imitate God. If our desires are based off of those that we see in other sinners, does that make our desires sinful? How do we pick good models to imitate when we are all sinners and all sins are equal in the eyes of God? The only way I can go about answering this question for myself is to base my argument on Dr. Clark's quote, "Evil is not a 'thing' that we desire. It is the way we desire something good." It is not important what desires I have in common with other sinners in this world, but the reason that I have these desires. This leads me to question who I hold to a high enough standard to imitate and what my standards are. I came to North Park seeking a knowledge of God, not only in an academic sense, but in a spiritual sense. When I seek the wisdom of my professors I seek it not for better grades or a higher IQ, but to find in them the nature of God that they have attained through their studies. Many of my desires lack this kind of pure ambition, but this was one that I could honestly share because it is such a strong drive in my life right now. I believe that the way that I listen determines what I hear, and so I will listen with a heart open to God. I will imitate those that have a stronger desire for God than they do for status or appearance, and I will seek in them the God that has blessed them with those desires. I believe that I am capable of imitating God because he has given me the ability and the desire to find him within my society and within myself.