Makeover Monday's

My daughter battled acne problems her senior year. We tried everything to alleviate the problem. We looked at her diet, her sleeping habits, her stress load and the problem only got worse. About the time we were making an appointment with the dermatologist a dear friend mentioned we should try Proactiv®. We ordered our supply and eagerly waited. It was expensive, but it was worth the try.

As soon as the product came my daughter began the three part cleansing process. It was amazing within days the acne was gone. Seriously, gone! Her beautiful complexion was back.

My son is now a senior and I tell you there must be something about seniors and acne problems! He asked me the other day to order some Proactiv® for him. I was telling a friend about this and she said I needed to go to the pharmacy and get AcneFree. It was just like Proactiv but cheaper, she said. I figured it was an imitation and probably not as good, but worth the try for half the price.

After a week, I have to tell you, AcneFree has worked just as well as Proactiv. My son’s complexion is clear once again.

I love imitations, don’t you? Especially when they are cheaper! Who doesn’t love a good bargain?

I have carried that way of thinking into my spiritual life too. God says to imitate Him, to become like Him. Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God.” Yet, I often find myself looking for the easy way out, the way that won’t cost me as much. The cost of time needed to get to know God so I can imitate Him. The cost of changing my ugly habits so I can become more like Him.

I realized I wasn't striving to imitate, emulate or try to understand God. I was skimping, looking for an imitation, the simulated and fake relationship that wouldn’t cost me as much. Pretending to be pious doesn’t pay!

The saying is ever so true, “You get what you pay for.” Being imitators of God will cost. It will cost you discipline, time and persistence. But the reward is well worth it, beyond anything we can imagine. Spending daily time to get to know the One we are to imitate is so refreshing and cleansing.

You might be able to skimp and save on products, but you’ll never get to know the Lord intimately and personally by skimping and skipping out on your personal time with Him.

Be proactive, plan and put the Lord first daily.