“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2, BSB).

     Imitation is the highest form of flattery, as the saying goes. Just ask Punxsutawney Phil. The infamous Pennsylvania rodent no longer can lay claim as the only four-legged weather forecaster.

     Enter Bee Cave Bob. Bee Cave Bob is an armadillo that has predicted the seasons in Texas for the past twelve years. By the way, why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the armadillo it could be done.

     According to Bee Cave Bob’s handler, the armadillo is “defiant and independent-minded.”  He predicted an early Spring for Texans because there “was no way he could have possible seen his shadow today.” To the chagrin of many Pennsylvanians last Wednesday, Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow thereby predicting six more weeks of winter.

     Some are criticizing the animal for being a knock-off imitation of an original. I, however, applaud Bee Cave Bob for pursuing the same enterprise that first was established by Punxsutawney Phil. I imagine Phil is flattered that someone else is pursuing ambitions of meteorological accuracy.

     Personally, I believe the writer of Hebrews would concur that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Every Christian is encouraged to “fix our eyes on Jesus” because Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith. Note the text claims it is OUR faith, and not THE faith, that Jesus perfects in us. Faith in this case is an interpersonal enterprise that Christ takes seriously.

     Our job is to maintain a focus on imitating Jesus. It is Jesus’ job to enhance and expand our capacity to live and love as he does. Becoming like Jesus is the goal of spiritual development . Our growth in grace stems from a mutual partnership that requires a combination of human effort and divine intervention.

     Fixing our eyes on Jesus begins by routinely pursuing the Spiritual Disciplines of worship, prayer, the meditation and study of Scripture, and authentic conversations with other Christians. These spiritual pursuits place our hearts upon the altar of grace, so that Christ may root out every vice that opposes him, while simultaneously planting in us the virtues that reflect his nature and character. The greater our focus on Jesus becomes, the more capable we will become in imitating him.

     Therefore, give Bee Cave Bob a little love. He’s in pursuit of a righteous and noble cause. Just don’t be shell-shocked if you see Bob and Punxsutawney Phil one day doing a joint forecast.