Not A “Copper Girl”

I was thoroughly captivated as I watched her take charge of the small gathering. She was pretty, vivacious and charming. With enviable ease she presented the product she was there to sell – beautiful pieces made of copper. Before the evening was over, everyone had purchased at least one item. The party was a huge success.

I wanted to be just like her, and so I signed up to sell copper products. In my imagination I stood before a group of enchanted women who were anxious to buy simply because I was so “wonderful”. The reality was a far cry from the dream. I wasn’t standing there five minutes before I realized I was totally unsuited for the job. I didn’t last very long as a copper salesgirl.

Unhappily, I tend to do this sort of thing. I think another name for it might be “hero worship”. In my younger years it was often someone who was well known – perhaps an actress or dancer or a character in a book. I would try to be just like that person. My imagination was such that I could totally immerse myself in someone else’s personality and pretend to be her. I was Shirley Temple, Pollyanna, Gidget – whoever happened to capture my fancy for that moment.

As I got older it changed a bit. The women I admired were prominent Christian women. Their lives inspired me to want to be just like them. I would immerse myself in their writings and read everything I could find about them. This was an improvement on the heroes of my youth, but it was still not right. I needed to be real. I needed to discover who I was in Jesus and be that “me”.

I have been gifted with a vivid imagination. I could still transport myself to places far outside my little world. I could still pretend to be someone else, but I don’t want to do that any more. I have to guard my heart against this thing called “hero worship” and fix my eyes on the only One worthy to be worshiped. I have to be the Linda He created me to be.

It is easy to look at someone else’s life; to feel a deep admiration for who they are; to wish I could be just like them. If I do that, I miss the blessing God intended in my own life. My gifts may not be the ones I admire in someone else. They may not even be the ones I wish I had, but they are the ones I have been given by the One who knows me better than I know myself. As I learn to use those gifts to serve others I will find a deep sense of fulfillment.

My life will not produce the beautiful fruit God intended if I am trying to live through someone else’s life – no matter how admirable that person might be. I have to make my faith my own. I must have a personal relationship with the Lord that is growing deeper with the passing of time. I must guard my heart and make it His alone.

Each one of us is special and unique in His eyes. He has made us so. Just as no two snow flakes are alike so it is with us. He has crafted us with wise, loving hands – and He loves us unconditionally. We don’t have to be like anyone else. We just have to be completely and totally His.

“Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down
from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.” ~James 1:17 (NAS)

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