Do you know what a
‘wannabe’ is? No, it’s not an exotic animal. It’s a common human form, a
person who desperately ‘wants to be’ somebody, who desires attention.
Years ago, I read a book, The Great Imposter, that told the
story of Ferdinand Waldo DeMara, a man of great intelligence who passed
himself off at various times as a surgeon on a Canadian Naval Ship, a a
Trappist monk, and a teacher at a New England Prep school. For a while,
he was so good at his game that he was indistinguishable from the
authentic, even winning accolades for his work! But, eventually his lack
of credentials and qualifications would become obvious and he would
run, only to take on yet another identity. Demara could not stand just
being himself and would not put in the work to gain the real skills that
would have given him a role in the world that he craved. So, he was a
wannabe.
Being a wannabe is self-destructive because it requires a person to live a lie. It poisons everything; relationships, accomplishments, and even the sense of self-worth the imposter is pursuing! The wannabe life produces yet another tragic result often unknown to the one living as a pretender: he never finds out who he really is or what God wants from his life. By focusing on trying to be somebody else, he misses the joy of being who he was made to be, joyfully filling the place in this world his gifts, experiences, and opportunities create for him.
Some disciples adopt a wannbe discipleship. Instead of ‘working out their salvation’ by digging into the Scripture, dealing with the real issues of their lives, and letting the character of Christ Jesus be uniquely created in them, they choose to become a copy of a preacher they know, or a celebrity Christian, or someone in their church that they admire. They start to dress like, talk like, and mimic the mannerisms of their model. And, they never discover who God wants them to be. The Bible says that in Christ, we are "God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
Being a wannabe is self-destructive because it requires a person to live a lie. It poisons everything; relationships, accomplishments, and even the sense of self-worth the imposter is pursuing! The wannabe life produces yet another tragic result often unknown to the one living as a pretender: he never finds out who he really is or what God wants from his life. By focusing on trying to be somebody else, he misses the joy of being who he was made to be, joyfully filling the place in this world his gifts, experiences, and opportunities create for him.
Some disciples adopt a wannbe discipleship. Instead of ‘working out their salvation’ by digging into the Scripture, dealing with the real issues of their lives, and letting the character of Christ Jesus be uniquely created in them, they choose to become a copy of a preacher they know, or a celebrity Christian, or someone in their church that they admire. They start to dress like, talk like, and mimic the mannerisms of their model. And, they never discover who God wants them to be. The Bible says that in Christ, we are "God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
Here's the direct
question - are you letting God lead you through life, creating a
masterpiece, or are you settling for a 'wannabe' life? Have you
submitted your life to Christ in full surrender, allowing for a complete
transformation of heart and mind OR are you just trying to imitate the
lifestyle of a disciple you admire? 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. As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be
honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much
faith God has given you." (Romans 12:2-3, NLT)
God loves YOU, friend. Yes, it is absolutely true. He won't love you more if you learn to imitate Joyce Meyers, Mother Theresa, or Franklin Graham. If you take that route, you will offend Him! He wants you to be you, a unique person with unique preparations to fill a unique place in this world.
God loves YOU, friend. Yes, it is absolutely true. He won't love you more if you learn to imitate Joyce Meyers, Mother Theresa, or Franklin Graham. If you take that route, you will offend Him! He wants you to be you, a unique person with unique preparations to fill a unique place in this world.
Self-acceptance can be
difficult. Looking in the mirror- physically and spiritually - reveals
reality which isn't always pretty. But, we are worthless to God and
ourselves until we face the facts. That doesn't mean we are stuck with
what we see! We can take the imperfections and sins to God and He will
work on us, transforming us by giving us the Holy Spirit to work in us.
God doesn't do 'make-overs.' He does transformations. That's right - you
can be an authentic saint! God can take the raw material that is you
and do amazing things to create a person full of love, of the beauty of
Jesus Christ.
Why not start the transformation process right now? It is called sanctification. That just a big word for 'becoming Christ-like.' There are spiritual disciplines to learn that help the process along. There are mentors and teachers that help us in our understanding. There will be blunders along the way, but - if we are committed to Him and to being authentic- we can be sure that His promise - "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)- will be true!
Live authentically today!
Why not start the transformation process right now? It is called sanctification. That just a big word for 'becoming Christ-like.' There are spiritual disciplines to learn that help the process along. There are mentors and teachers that help us in our understanding. There will be blunders along the way, but - if we are committed to Him and to being authentic- we can be sure that His promise - "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)- will be true!
Live authentically today!
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