Impersonators are those who are adept at imitating other people: their voices, figures of speech, mannerisms and body language. Many impersonators (Mike Yarwood, Rory Bremner, Jon Culshaw) have entertained us over the years through their satirical impersonations of famous figures; theirs is a skill that requires patient study and constant practice.
If we think about how we all learn, though, there is a good deal of imitation and observation going on for all of us. The Message version of Eph 5:1-2 says ‘Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents.’ J. B. Phillips paraphrases this verse says ‘As children copy their fathers you, as God’s children, are to copy him.’ All children learn through copying the speech and behaviour of those around them. A baby is born into the world with few skills and has to learn to walk and talk through careful observation of all around him. Usually it takes about a year for a baby to learn to walk; often it takes about 18 months for recognisable words to be spoken and full sentences can often take up to about 2.5 years to master. In this time, the baby has to show patience and persistence (learning how to shuffle or crawl, then pull itself up to a standing position before taking tottering steps that gradually become stronger), a commitment to learning through repetition and a good deal of practice (all its time and energy when awake!) The interaction of others is vital (babies left alone in orphanages in Romania were found to be much less advanced in these abilities than those who had been talked to and played with), for babies learn from observation.
We need to see role models who show us what faith, patience, love, hospitality, kindness and forgiveness look like. We need also to learn from Jesus, who is God made visible for us to see how we should behave in every situation. Then, and only then, can we become role models for others who reflect God’s character to those who have never seen Him.