Imitation Is NOT the Sincerest Form of Flattery

We've heard (and maybe spoken) often the phrase, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." And, while that may be true in our human way of thinking, that does not apply to the things of God.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned in my ministry work has been that imitation is a hinderence. It is also very difficult to get away from imitation.

As we grow and mature, we look to and imitate the behaviors and patterns of the things we like and want to be like. If you're learning how to hit a baseball, you learn by imitating the basics you are taught. If you are learning leadership, you study and mimic the leaders you want to be like.

In ministry, however, imitation can tear you down rather than lift you up. Sure, there are certain aspects that we copy, but those are only what come from the Bible. It's part of becoming more like Christ. He taught us how we ought to live.

But, as we mature in our walk with Jesus, the imitation has a break down of sorts. In times of God's silence, we too often resort to mimicing the successful things that we see others doing.

I'll give you some examples. I think most of us desire for God to send a revival among the churches and awakening of the people. And, often we look back at past moves of God, and try to copy the things that worked in order to prompt God to move today. It's all well intentioned, but if we learn anything from the Bible, we should know that our efforts, as noble as they may be, probably won't work very well.

For proof, I point you to the way God interacted with His people in the Old Testament. Every move of God was a one-and-done approach. The Great Flood happened one time. The Ten Plagues - one time. The march around Jericho - once. Pick your judge - each approach was unique. Small boy whipping a giant - legendary event.

How about New Testament examples. Well, virgin birth; the death, burial and resurrection of a sinless man; Pentecost.

I hope you are getting the idea that I am pushing. God never runs out of unique ways to move in the lives of individuals. Yet, so often, we rely on the crutch of imitation to do ministry. We shape our churches after highly successful ministries. We style our preaching and teaching after famous pastors. In short, we incorporate the world's methods of success into what is supposed to be unique, then wonder why it doesn't always work.

God has a unique plan for you, your ministry or church. Let the Almighty shape that plan, and don't shortcut it by inserting your imitated, second-best.

Doing the Unpleasant Things

In every business, organization or effort there are always things that no one really desires to do, but they must be done.

On the football field, the undesirables are two-a-day practices in the scorching August sun. Those undesirables will later lead to a team that can withstand the pressures of a four-quarter game in December, January and maybe February.

In the workplace, no one desires to take out the trash, clean the toilets, or even do the mundane work of the office.

In a volunteer organization, it is easy to get volunteers for stuff that is relatively easy, or the things that really make a difference. It isn't so easy to find people willing to do the difficult and trying tasks without being compensated in some way. More on this in just a moment.

Jesus gave us THE example that as Christ-followers, we need to be willing to joyfully do the unpleasant things in life. John 13 records Jesus' final meal before his arrest and execution. As the disciples arrived in the room where they would have this last supper, Jesus does something his followers have never witnessed. The man who spoke and lived out humility displayed it by becoming a servant, and washing his disciples' feet.

This was the job of a slave, and not the King of Kings...or so the disciples believed. We get Peter's astonished reaction, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” No doubt everyone in the room was wondering why Jesus was doing someone else's job. I suppose there was a slave standing nearby wondering who took their job...and WHY???

Jesus doesn't keep his men in suspense. He tells them outright in verse 16 why he washed their feet, "I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message." Jesus was living out this statement in relation to God the Father, but He also wanted the disciples to learn this truth.

It's a difficult truth to swallow, because our human nature is full of pride. We don't want to stoop into servanthood unless we're going to get something out of it, like a pay check. Being a servant with no compensation goes completely against our nature. Yet, Jesus demonstrated that He wants us to be willing to do the unpleasant things. In verse 17, He says, "Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."

I write about the church a lot, and I think this story applies directly to how we volunteer in the church. I see a lot of people what are willing to tackle the easy chores, or the ones where a lot of other people are at, but not many are willing to do the difficult or disgusting tasks.

Ministry can be very fun, but there are always times of humbling that must occur for us to become more like Jesus. We need these times to keep our pride in check. And, it is during these times as a servant that others take notice, and are drawn to Jesus.

So, what about you? What is it that you find unpleasant that God has asked you to do? Jesus washing the disciples feet only took a few minutes. Chances are, what God wants you to do may last only an hour a week, or it might be a one-time deal.

Monday Ten

1. Everyone's a Monday morning quarterback, especially after the NFL Draft.

2. I would hate to be good enough to be the #1 draft pick, especially if you're a quarterback, because you always go to a crappy team.

3. I feel sorry for Sam Bradford. Hopefully, the St. Louis Rams can find an offensive line to protect him.

4. I have mixed feelings about the Kansas City Chiefs draft picks. They did need help on the defense, but at the same time, Matt Cassell got beat up last year at QB, because KC didn't have much of an offensive line.

5. This all reminds me of the movie "The Blind Side." If you haven't watched it, go rent it and bring it home. Good stuff.

6. My wife and I took the kids to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Sunday. She and I haven't been there since our childhood. Not much has changed, but I do think the museum was smaller than the last time I was there.

7. I don't remember taking the tour through the battlefield as a child, but we went yesterday. My oldest son and I walked down Bloody Hill.

8. It's amazing to realize that Missouri was host to the third most battles in the Civil War.

9. It was also interesting to learn how the lack of good communications cost the Union the battle, and also prevented the South from holding onto their victory. But, such was the way of the mid-1800s.

10. I can't wait for warmer weather. Must grill again!

A Christian's Perspective on Earth Day

I strongly dislike Earth Day, but not for the immediate reasons you might suspect.

I have no problem with taking care of our natural surroundings. God put us in place as the caretakers of His creation, and there is a certain level of respect that we should have for it. No one wants to eat diseased fish from a polluted stream. Nobody wants to live next to neighbors who just toss their trash in their yard for the wind to blow around. And there isn't anybody who enjoys an acid-rain shower.

So, we do have certain responsibilities to take care of God's creation. But, to what limit?

I don't like Earth Day or the green movement, because they have made a religion out of environmentalism. I explain my views here. What is interesting is that ever since I wrote last year's Earth Day post, the whole climate-change argument has been found to be fraudulent. The science behind it is nothing more than a hoax.

With that in mind, we need to go back to Genesis and understand that God gave Adam a couple of commands regarding the earth. He gave mankind dominion over the earth. Translation: we're in charge of taking care of God's creation. That's important when it comes to keeping our surroundings clean.

And, God told mankind to use and consume the creation. Today, we have distorted this part of the command by making certain elements of nature, be it animal or plant, more important than mankind. We've handed dominion over to the things God gave us authority over.

God set up a particular order for this world, and called it "very good." Consider this as the world celebrates Earth Day.

When Life Throws You Lemon-Sized Tumors

I have never met Zac Smith, and probably won't on this earth. I do, however, know his father. Zac is a 33-year old man who's parents were missionaries to Ecuador (now live in Springfield, Missouri).

Zac has cancer, and probably won't see the end of this year. Yet, he has an incredible story, and interesting perspective on this "gift" of cancer.

I visited with his father, Jim, yesterday. He told me how after high school, Zac had drifted from God, and later returned to his faith. Living in Colorado, Zac felt burdened to enter church ministry, and wanted to be a preacher/teacher/etc. His door into church ministry came in the fall of 2008 at NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. However, the job he was hired for would not allow him to ever preach or teach to the church outside of his small group.

His father says that Zac had to come to grips with that fact, knowing that he probably wouldn't get to share his heart in the way he wanted.

Then, came stage-four colon cancer, and a lemon-sized tumor. Unless God works a miracle, Zac's time on this earth will come to an end soon. His desire to serve God will be cut short of his plans. Yet, God has bigger plans.

After being diagnosed, Zac's church did two, short videos where Zac tells his story. These videos were used as part of sermons for the church. In a way, Zac has received his chance to speak in church. What's more, these videos have been watched by thousands over the Internet and in other churches. God is using Zac's story and his testimony to do things Zac probably never would have done on his own.

I invite you to watch the two videos below.

Monday Ten

1. I am glad it is Monday. The kids' behavior made me say that.

2. My wife is dreading summer break. Again, the kids' behavior this weekend reminded her of that.

3. I don't know what it was - perhaps something in the air - but, every child I met this weekend had a touch of the devil in them...and the girls were the worst.

4. My in-laws come for lunch yesterday. It was the first time I had ever grilled for them. The burgers were some of the best I have ever made.

5. By the way, charcoal kicks the pants off of gas grilling, but you have to really love your food since charcoal takes longer.

6. A friend of mine from North Point Church spoke last evening to the youth (and a lot of adults) at my parents' church in Mountain Grove. They all enjoyed Brandon Beck (from KY3) being there.

7. Speaking of my church...another great weekend where over 100 people gave their lives to Jesus. That's awesome!

8. Sometimes it is strange the connections you learn you have to people you don't even know. Last year, I watched an online broadcast of a service from a South Carolina church. They showed a five minute video called Letter to Zac, which is a moving video about a young guy, dying from cancer, who writes his teenage self a letter. Last week, I found out that I know the man's father. He works for next door at the Baptist Bible Fellowship missions office.

9. Pray for Zac Smith in Anderson, South Carolina. Unless God provides a miracle to his cancer, he will not live much longer. He has a wife and three children.

10. To live is Christ and to die is gain. -- Paul