Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-30

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son. Romans 8:29

WHAT DO THE following words have in common? Masquerade. Impersonator. Im­postor. Cover-up. Actress. Mimic. Disguise. Costume. Camouflage. Actor. Copycat. Mask. Impressionist. Pretender. Your final answer? Yes! They all have something to do with trying to be like or at least look like someone else.

Ever wish you were like someone else? Pretending to be someone else might be fun for a few hours at a costume party, but in everyday life it’s more exciting to be the unique person God made you to be. Maybe you’re as gorgeous as a homecoming queen, as brainy as a valedictorian, or as hunky as the captain of the football team.  But if you don’t fit into any of those pre-defined categories, you don’t have to fake your “fabulousity.”

You’re great just the way God made you. You don’t have to be anybody else. You don’t have to compare yourself to anybody else.

Face it: You compare yourself to others because you want to know how you measure up. If you’re doing well, you soar. If you aren’t as gorgeous, brainy, rich, or hunky as the other person, you crash. The trouble with comparisons is the fact that you’re using the wrong measure-other people. Every person is different, so you’re guaranteed to find someone you think is better or worse than you are, filling you with either frustration or pride.

There is, however, someone even God wants you to copy. And that’s his Son. God wants you to be like his Son in your character-that is, what you’re like on the inside. God is looking for you to match an inward ideal, the way Jesus looks on the inside. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the qualities you possess when you imitate his perfection: “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

God doesn’t want you to remake yourself in the mold of anyone but his Son. To do that he wants you to allow his Spirit to control you. Instead of asking, “Am I as good as so-and-so?” quiz yourself on this: “Do I have the character of Christ, which is what God wants me to have?” When you can say yes to that question, you won’t be pretending. You’ll see proof in your life that you’re just like him.

REFLECT: Who do you want to be like? Why?

PRAY: Father, I don’t have to remake myself in the mold of anyone but your Son. To do that, I give your Spirit control of my life.

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