I Peter 2:21

For even here unto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (KJV)

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (NIV)

Have you ever seen a chameleon in action? I’ve never actually seen one change its color to match its surroundings right before my ey es, but I am reminded of them every time I see my granddaughter copy whatever her older brother does – and that’s been quite often lately. But then I also saw a young teenager do almost the same thing when she attempted to copy the actions of an older, more popular teen. Come to think of it, we adults often do it too. We copy what other more respected or popular people do, so we can fit in with the socially accepted crowd. We are being human chameleons!

Our verse for this week seems to indicate to me that being a human chameleon might be acceptable to God. That is, of course, if we follow or copy the right person. Our verse tells us to follow the example of Christ.

Several years ago now, there was a popular slogan with the Christian crowd. It was: "What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD) The slogan asked you to question your actions by first asking yourself what Jesus would do if he were in the same situation as you. Even prior to the popularity of that slogan, there was a book by Charles Sheldon entitled, In His Steps, that was very popular as well. The book gave examples of people trying to do things that Jesus had done. Both this book and the popular slogan encourage us to copy Jesus. He is our best example. We should be chameleons of Him.

I don’t think I can do much about the copying my granddaughter does of her brother, or even much about what teens or adults copy of another’s behavior. But I can work on my own life and ask God to help me be more like Jesus. How about you? Are you a chameleon? Whose example do you follow?