Okay to be a copycat 

I wonder if you ever got called a copycat as a kid? I know I did. It was almost always spoken as an insult. But most of us imitated others primarily because we saw something that we liked or appreciated in someone.  Nonetheless, the label of copycat stung.

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord… 1 Thessalonians 1:6

But, despite what everybody says sometimes it's okay to be a "copycat". Paul, writing to the Thessalonians commends them for not only imitating him but Christ as well. In other words, they were "copycats".

Maybe there was someone in your Christian walk that you imitated. Perhaps you watched the way they read the Scriptures or prayed or talked about Jesus and you decided that you would try to be like them.

…in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Paul commends the church in Thessalonica, because as they “imitated” him, they received the word about Jesus. They followed in spite of experiencing some persecution in doing so. Not only that, but Paul reveals that others have begun to imitate them in their walk of faith. Because of this, Paul gives thanks for them in his prayers. 

As followers of Jesus in our own day, I wonder who we imitate as we seek to “imitate” Jesus. And I wonder who is watching from the sidelines deciding whether they will imitate or “copycat” us. Perhaps you and I will have the opportunity to give thanks in our prayers for others who have come to believe because of our faithfulness in following Jesus.

Blessings,
Matthew+

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 235)