Let me give some encouragement today, but also a warning.

 

After years in ministry and varying industries, I’ve seen just about everything there is to see, but one thing stays so crystal clear, and it is a sad place for the church and those who call themselves Jesus followers.

 

We often accept being an “imitation” rather than an authentic original.

 

It is good to have role models who we can glean from. We may even be trained by many for some seasons. However, imitating others will not yield their anointing on your own life. Try as you may it will end up disappointing you and others.

 

I’ve seen so many “shadowing” others in unhealthy ways in the spirit. It’s a vision God has given me a couple of times this very week.

 

A picture of some of God’s people walking through a door and then just as the door is closing behind them, the enemy slips in also to piggyback onto their anointing.

 

Listen, God’s anointing doesn’t work this way, friends. We are each anointed for unique things. Stepping outside His anointing for your life because you are trying to imitate others is not wise. It is costly.

 

The problem is we become so desperate for “success” and even jealous of others that we actually forfeit our own true destiny.

 

You can buy imitation diamonds, imitation handbags, and even build imitation ministries, but the truth is it’s still a copy rather than an original.

 

I think I’m finally old enough to just not want one thing that I put my hands to any longer that is void of the anointing of God.

 

I’ve finally gotten pretty comfortable in my own skin, whether I’m liked for it or not. We all best get there if we plan on having fruitful and blessed ministries.

 

Listen; learn what you can from others. Get good mentors, but if you’re baiting people on the basis of an imitation only, it will eventually show itself as such.

 

Press into the heart of God for your life because in all honesty, His first plan for you is way better than any copycat scheme your heart has devised.

 

This at the root is a heart missing their true identity in Christ. It causes us to want (and even try to take, as if that’s even possible) what other people have and do.

 

Let us be so secure in whom He has made us to be and do that we will dare to be that very original creation He formed in the womb and refuse to become merely an imitation.