Imitators?

DateLine (9/27/06 – Naas, County Kildare, Ireland)

Do you ever think back across the expanse of your life to consider the many influences that have inspired you to be who you are? A significant amount of who we are is learned from those that we observe. Early on in my life my role models were carpenters, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and the like. Simple honest hard-working folks, who I might add were quite handy when the routine troubles of life came your way.

Each time I crossed paths with someone and as I had the opportunity to observe them at their craft I was motivated to give it a shot myself. As I watched the carpenter, I’d go home and build a clubhouse from scrap lumber or a downhill racer from 2 X 4’s and old Radio-Flyer wagon wheels. When I watched a mechanic, I’d find an abandoned lawn mower and tear a part the engine. When I’d observe an electrician I’d go home and . . . well let’s don’t go there.

The point is, watching a craftsman de-mystifies the craft. It gives encouragement to the observer to imitate the craftsman. The same held true later in life when I started my first job. I had the opportunity to observe a computer programmer. It didn’t look so hard I thought; why not give it a try? As I remember back, many life skills that I’ve accumulated have come from watching people as they demonstrated the skills that they possessed. I guess when it comes down to it I’ve been an imitator all my life.

For me as I tried the role of homebuilder, electrician, plumber, gardener, computer programmer, church vocalist, even husband, parent and Sunday School teacher; all are imitations. At one point the thought of being a mere imitator may have depressed me. Such is the case for most of us. Then I realized that there is something worse; an impersonator. There’s a big difference between imitator and impersonator. An imitator does acquire something of value from those they observe. An imitator borrows from the “original” and hones the craft or gift as their own. The impersonator allows others to believe in the illusion of their capabilities.

At one point along the way something radical happened. I met an original; the one and only. You see, when I met Jesus I did not imitate, I worshipped. It was only later as I matured in Christ that I learned that although in the purest sense God is above imitation, He does encourage us to attempt. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

God does not expect us to be God, that is impossible. God does expect us to give it our best imitation. God does not want impersonators, where there is no substance, only illusion. So how do we measure up as imitators of God? There is only one way. The unique thing about this Original – imitator relationship is that God is ever present. A “little-bit” of God indwells each of us. With constant help from the Original we can become “imitators of God.” We may fall short but it’s fun trying - beats taking apart lawn mower engines.