Do Not Imitate Life

Ecclesiastes 7:1

1A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth

All we have is our name. Our good reputation, love and the people we have touched are all we can take with us when we pass to the next stage of our existence and leave the flesh behind. So many attach a lot to their reputation but your good name is simply about being who you say you are. If you are who you say you are, there ought to be some evidence of it. The day of your death and those who mourn your passing gives evidence of your good name.

I love old movies and one of my favorite films is the 1958 remake of An Imitation of Life with Lana Turner and  a special appearance by my pastor's godmother, Mahalia Jackson. Annie was the black house keeper for a Broadway starlet. Annie's daughter was a young girl who could "pass" for white because of the fairness of her skin. Annie's daughter spent years trying to change who she was born to be to the point that she ran away from her mother. Annie was a good woman and cared for everyone. She was loved. But the day she died, everyone in the house mourned her. Her own employer had no idea the many people she touched because she could not see past what Annie did for her. The day of Annie's memorial, her casket was in a horse drawn carriage. And that day her daughter returned screaming and throwing herself on the casket, "Mama! Mama! I'm sorry Mama! I'm sorry!" 

Annie had a good name and the hundreds of people who celebrated her was a testament of the love she gave. She gave so much but not everyone, especially the one who she loved the most, understood what she meant until she was gone.

Do not be an imitator or who people think you should be. Be who God called you to be and your name shall be great in His eyes and He will also do it among men. Be who God called you to be and you won't regret on the day you take your last breath. Do no imitate life but live it according to your purpose.