Copycats

By Kathy Schultz
CBN Staff Writer

My young granddaughter, Alexandra, was preparing to sing with the children's choir. Her mom and I were thrilled, as we loved watching her. Our advice to her was, "Just watch Mrs. Justice," the choir director.

Alexandra knew the song and had attended all the practices. She was ready. There she stood with her peers, ready to sing, and whom did she watch? It wasn't the choir director. It was the child standing next to her. The little girl tossed her hair back and forth; she was nervous. What did Alex do? She did the same thing, even down to the mannerisms. It was comical, but sad. She was singing the words, but not the way she should have because she was not looking at the director. "Copycat" is what we would have said when I was in elementary school.

Styles and times change, but other things do not. Adults as well as children are still copycats.

God spoke to me and asked, "Who are you copying?" Was it He? I have to admit that often my eyes look at the person beside me. That is not always wrong. Sometimes the person reflects Christ; but often I am imitating things that are not godly. Be imitators of Christ the Bible says:

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2, The Book)

The Lord let me see that the problem was not in the copying, but in whom we are copying. He showed me my granddaughter would be copying others her entire life. This was only the beginning. As she went to school she would be copying many things, such as words and actions of her playmates, teachers, coaches, and many others. In fact, this was one of the ways she would learn. Some things she would copy would be beneficial and not others. Discernment and wisdom is what she needs and so do we.

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding" (Proverbs 3:13, KJV).

The Lord also made me aware not only was I copying others, but other people are copying me as well. Were my children and grandchildren seeing Christ in me? Was I a good role model? Was Christ living in me? I had to admit some of my behavior was not worth copying. This reminded me to keep my actions in line with what God wanted. The only way I knew to do that was to keep praying and reading His Word, being obedient to what God says. I will then stand in approval from God, not others. I will become a copycat of God, not others!

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV).