An Imitation

In my life I have often been only able to have an imitation of something everybody wants. I have a driver that is titanium and big like the real thing but I will never know the difference between what I have and the ones that cost hundreds of dollars. My imitation works but I still wonder what miracle could happen if I had the real thing. We often settle for the imitation and hope it is satisfactory.

I also have enjoyed imitators as entertainers. I would laugh as they mock the real thing with a close impersonation but one that is clearly not the real thing and often minimizes the one who is famous enough to be imitated. They must have accomplished something or no imitator would bother to learn to imitate them.

We are called to be imitators of Christ. Even Paul says to imitate him. Scripture says it is OK to be an imitation of the real thing. As I make my attempt to imitate Christ, this is an arena where I hope people will never be satisfied with the imitation but always continue to seek the real thing. Christ is available, you see, free of charge and the imitation is meant to only point to the real thing in our midst. My imitation of Christ is never to bring attention to me but only to him. I also don't want to be an imitator that, somehow because of my poor imitation, makes a mockery of the real thing. My imitation of Christ needs to be with the humility that makes it clear I know I am a poor imitation of Christ. I attempt to imitate Him out of obedience knowing I am not worthy, even as he desires my imitation of him. You may laugh at my weak imitation but not at the one I attempt to emulate. He is always worthy of whatever good we can do for him.