“You are just a copycat!”
Many have been accused of being a COPYCAT
Words that resonate in schools on a continual basis, generated from diverse actions, copying a friends test, mannerisms, or words. Leaves the guilty party feeling discomfited over the efforts duplicated to gain better grades, popularity or attention. It’s unsettling being referred to as the copycat. There is no appreciation, just criticisms. No reward, only verbal bruises to one’s reputation, seems to last forever…
The copycat fails to claim its own unique traits and clinches those of its peers, seems so conventional and easy to them. Being confronted by the accuser sparks a moment of self reflection. Like a mirror, this moment was designed to encourage the observer to embrace the truth. Yet somehow the tools made for sight, were unable to convince the onlooker of that truth because the view was blocked by shades made by envy and doubt. The reflection in the mirror was true but the refusal to see, created a façade of actions promoting duplication rather than originality.
A failure to connect with the truth of one’s own existence caused by a lack of interest in disconnecting from the make-up, purpose and intent of another person’s existence brings contradictions. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Some are so accustomed to walking in the tracks of others, that there is no recollection of where the path of their life starts or ends. Covered up by refusal to seek, the path is hidden.
Then one day, a new kid came to school. His name is Jesus. He comes in and takes note of all that is going on. He sees that copycat has been banished to the other side of the playground of life. Wanting to be like everyone else, or trying to exist in a mold that wasn’t designed for him, copycat sits with his head hung low. All he knows how to do is copy other people. He felt like his peers ways, were the right ways but “there is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof is destruction.”
“Hey copycat, what’s wrong?”
“They keep rejecting me, hurting my feelings, and wounding me.” (They did Jesus the same way.)
“All things work together to the good to those that love the Lord.”
(Choosing to obey God, not only benefits us, it also benefits those we come in contact with. The presence of God in our lives shines a light on every dark thing that tries to dwell within us including, envy, doubt, and a lack of confidence, and connecting with God helps us to see who we are and develop a new confidence in ourselves).
“Take up your cross and follow me.”
“Ok.” (Is it really that easy? Yes!)
“You know, taking up my cross and following you Jesus is a lot like being a copycat.” (This is a good observation but the thing about copying Jesus is that we are positioned for our purpose and to live a life that leads us to eternal life. What we will see here next is that Paul invited us to be copycats. So if we are going to copy anyone, let us copy God.)
“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).
“Ok, I can do that, I am the best copycat around, and I really think this taking up my cross thing is for me.”
Prayer
Father God, we love you and want to be like your son Jesus. Help us to “not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” Amen.
Believe, Love, & Obey God
~Tanika
Words that resonate in schools on a continual basis, generated from diverse actions, copying a friends test, mannerisms, or words. Leaves the guilty party feeling discomfited over the efforts duplicated to gain better grades, popularity or attention. It’s unsettling being referred to as the copycat. There is no appreciation, just criticisms. No reward, only verbal bruises to one’s reputation, seems to last forever…
The copycat fails to claim its own unique traits and clinches those of its peers, seems so conventional and easy to them. Being confronted by the accuser sparks a moment of self reflection. Like a mirror, this moment was designed to encourage the observer to embrace the truth. Yet somehow the tools made for sight, were unable to convince the onlooker of that truth because the view was blocked by shades made by envy and doubt. The reflection in the mirror was true but the refusal to see, created a façade of actions promoting duplication rather than originality.
A failure to connect with the truth of one’s own existence caused by a lack of interest in disconnecting from the make-up, purpose and intent of another person’s existence brings contradictions. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Some are so accustomed to walking in the tracks of others, that there is no recollection of where the path of their life starts or ends. Covered up by refusal to seek, the path is hidden.
Then one day, a new kid came to school. His name is Jesus. He comes in and takes note of all that is going on. He sees that copycat has been banished to the other side of the playground of life. Wanting to be like everyone else, or trying to exist in a mold that wasn’t designed for him, copycat sits with his head hung low. All he knows how to do is copy other people. He felt like his peers ways, were the right ways but “there is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof is destruction.”
“Hey copycat, what’s wrong?”
“They keep rejecting me, hurting my feelings, and wounding me.” (They did Jesus the same way.)
“All things work together to the good to those that love the Lord.”
(Choosing to obey God, not only benefits us, it also benefits those we come in contact with. The presence of God in our lives shines a light on every dark thing that tries to dwell within us including, envy, doubt, and a lack of confidence, and connecting with God helps us to see who we are and develop a new confidence in ourselves).
“Take up your cross and follow me.”
“Ok.” (Is it really that easy? Yes!)
“You know, taking up my cross and following you Jesus is a lot like being a copycat.” (This is a good observation but the thing about copying Jesus is that we are positioned for our purpose and to live a life that leads us to eternal life. What we will see here next is that Paul invited us to be copycats. So if we are going to copy anyone, let us copy God.)
“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).
“Ok, I can do that, I am the best copycat around, and I really think this taking up my cross thing is for me.”
Prayer
Father God, we love you and want to be like your son Jesus. Help us to “not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” Amen.
Believe, Love, & Obey God
~Tanika
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