Don’t Be a Knockoff or a Cheap Imitation

Text: Exodus 25:1-40

“Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” —Exodus 25:9

A “knockoff” is an unauthorized copy or cheap imitation of the original.

We live in a world where the temptation is strong to copy the work of others to get noticed, sell a product or service, or shortcut the growth process of getting established in our own identity. The problem with imitation is that the more we imitate, the further we get from the originality God has blueprinted for us.

So, it is with vision. It’s cheap to copy someone else’s vision and try to make it your own. It can also be hollowing and disappointing because you fail to find yourself in the process. Vision is not just about getting somewhere; it’s about finding out who YOU are in the process. Imitation hijacks this journey of self-discovery.

We fall well short of God’s pattern when we try to copy someone else’s vision rather than getting it directly from God. Vision should and must come from God. When God commanded Moses to build Him a sanctuary in Exodus 25, He gave him the detailed pattern for it and told Moses it shall look exactly like the pattern given. God was the Visionary and Moses was merely the project foreman. Moses didn’t try to engineer his own plan, he didn’t try to copy another person’s work, or get his model from something in creation—He went straight to the Creator.

Amazing things happen when we see our roles rightly in Yahweh’s great big Kingdom enterprise! When we get our marching orders from God instead of the beat of someone else’s drum, we are more in rhythm with God’s tune for our missional assignments here on earth.

There’s nothing wrong with being inspired by others or learning from them, but something is always lost when we copy someone else’s pre-existing vision. When God puts something uniquely in our hearts, passion and authority come with it. But passion will erode with the copy. With the original, we have a relevant voice. When we imitate, we lose our voice. A copied vision is also more prone to discouragement and easier to quit on because you have no clear reference point to stand on when the vision faces adversity.

We must do the hard work of digging up God’s unique vision for us, and then let it shape us. There may be a unique vision God wants to give you personally but cannot because you are too preoccupied with trying to copy someone else’s vision. Consider spending time with God in prayer, giving deep introspection to parts of your life that have been hijacked by a “knockoff” of the matchless vision and inimitable identity God has for you. You may need to repent of some cheap forms of imitation and begin to find “yourself” in Christ. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you have such a satisfying original dance waiting to be discovered in every one of us. Reveal the knockoffs in my life, lead me to repentance, and empower me to get my vision and originality from you as opposed to some cheap copy of someone else. Remind me daily that this is where you get the most glory from my life—being exactly who YOU created me to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. When have you struggled to find yourself because you were too preoccupied with copying someone else?
2. In what way was Moses able to hear from God and receive the unique blueprints for the tabernacle?
3. What was God’s connected promise to these “blueprints”? (v. 8)
4. What needs to be repented of in terms of copying others instead of being authentic in your God-shaped identity?
5. How can you spend time this week capturing God’s unique vision for your life?