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Have you heard the phrase, "Imitation is the highest form of flattery?"


Some attribute the quote to an Irish poet and playwright named Oscar Wilde; I'm not sure if that's true as I just spent too much time looking at different websites that say he did and others that said he didn't.  

Okay, Erica, focus.

Regardless of who technically said it, the point I am slowly working towards is that I was unaware of the second part of this quote.


"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."


Oh, that's good.

Being inspired by others is lovely.

Seeing someone achieve greatness allows others to aim high, which is awesome.


If watching others do what you feel called to do makes it seem possible for you, then it's fantastic.

Learning new things requires instruction and imitation. Just think of everything we can now do ourselves because we watched a video online of someone else doing it.

Contrary to the message my average weekly screen time might portray, you can't just make a life out of watching other people do stuff.


Once you get the hang of something after you learn and see someone else do something, you usually stop watching and start doing.

Then, you keep doing it until you get better and better and better.

We have to be careful not to get stuck in perpetual watching.


If our eyes are constantly darting to what others are doing, we will lose focus on God's intention for us and what we feel led to do.

In a world filled with influencers and followers, we must go beyond living as a watered down copy/paste version of someone else’s awesomeness.

We are unique, one-of-a-kind creatures with God-given gifts and dreams instilled within us.  


Therefore, we owe it to God to be the best version of US that we can be, not a duplicated version of them.


I'm all for learning from the best and surrounding myself with people who are good examples and influences on my life.  


I have to be careful not to compare or compete, a slippery slope I can easily slide down.

I also know it's important to regularly check who and what I follow and how I am being influenced.


Emulating the good we see in others is a noble endeavor.


But being an imitated version of a great someone else shouldn't be our aspirational goal.


So what now?


Perhaps the questions we should be asking ourselves are:

What version of ourselves is Jesus leading us to be?


As we follow Jesus forward, what can we imitate and learn from Him to become the best we can be?


How can we keep our eyes on God and focus on being the best version of ourselves, not a modified version of others?

Deep thoughts today, my friend, as we strive to live authentically and as the best versions of ourselves with no mediocre, watered down versions of other’s greatness.


Psalm 139: 13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.


John 14:12

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.


Ephesians 5: 1-2

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

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