Deja-YOU! The Sincerest Form of Flattery

Have you ever known someone who seemed to have it all together, so much so that you wanted to be just like them? When I was growing up, there were always prettier, smarter, shorter, taller, cooler, happier kids -- the ones who were more popular, made better grades, dressed well; the cheerleaders, sports stars, class officers, musically gifted -- you know the type. A few were so appealing, I found myself shopping where they shopped, styling my hair like theirs, even adopting their mannerisms and speech.

I've often heard it said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." With this in mind, I naturally thought the person(s) I was trying to mimic would be pleased and flattered beyond reason at my efforts. After all, I was paying them the very highest compliment possible. I just knew the great lengths I went to would be recognized as high praise, thus securing their friendship for life. Somehow it didn't quite work that way. Seems my idols were more often angry that I was copying them. They just didn't see the sincerity of my actions.

Now that I've matured (a nice way of saying I'm old!) I wonder at the great lengths I still go to in order to please others. It may not be quite the same as trying to make myself their twin, but the sought-after result is still the same: the desire to be accepted, appreciated, admired, liked. The conclusion I've reached is very much contrary to popular thinking. The truth is, you cannot make anyone accept, appreciate, admire, or like you. They either do or they don't.

This reminds me that nothing we can do will ever cause God to feel differently about us. We cannot be good enough, popular enough, pretty enough, smart enough, anything enough to win His favor. Nor can we be bad enough, mean enough, ugly enough, anything enough to cause Him to withhold His favor. The Good News is, He loves us, and always will! We don't have to do (or not do) anything at all to secure His Love. It is a gift -- freely given -- to anyone who will accept it.

And when we accept God's gift and begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we also begin to imitate Him. As we grow in our Christian walk, we gradually begin to take on His character -- kindness, goodness, selflessness -- so that the world around us will see Christ through us. Sometimes these changes are accomplished without our conscious effort, unlike the endeavors of my high school days. Many times there will be setbacks as we allow our old nature to get in the way, causing us to stumble along the new path. But as we worship Him, learn about Him, and seek Him in prayer, we subtly begin to take on His characteristics, modeling our lives after His. Yes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.