Today there are many faux items out there that have become increasingly popular. There are faux paint finishes made to look like marble, stone or wood, faux wood flooring, faux furs, and faux plants that look amazingly natural. All of these are still imitations of what is “real.” They are fakes; artificial representations of something else.
Recently, I was relaxing in my chair at home when Mei Li, our cat, jumped in my lap. I cuddled her closely as she purred heartily and with resounding conviction. As I held her tightly, I could feel her body vibrate as she purred incessantly. The purr seemed to originate not just from the throat but deep within her. When I faux purr, it is mainly produced through a fluttering of my tongue in my mouth. I am not a cat, so my purr is a cheap imitation of what comes naturally to Mei Li.
I am a TCM (Turner Classic Movie) fan. Recently, an old Lana Turner movie entitled Imitation of Life was featured. The movie was released in the 1959. Lana Turner plays Lora Meredith, a widowed, struggling actress with a small daughter. She connects with character, Annie Johnson, (played by Juanita Moore) who is an African American woman with a bi-racial daughter. They combine households and Annie evolves into the role of maid. Lana Turner’s character becomes a wildly successful actress with all the worldly trappings that entails. The two daughters have various difficulties growing up in a privileged home in this complex movie plot. Annie is the only one who truly lives her life; a life of service that far exceeds her employment as a maid to Lora Meredith. At the close of the movie you discover all the characters are not really enjoying a full and meaningful life but have selfishly sought pleasure, fame and fortune as cheap substitutes for what is genuine. They have bought Satan’s lie regarding success; chasing a faux dream. Annie (the only overtly Christian character) gets it, and enjoys a life that positively impacts hundreds of people, as witnessed in the final funeral scene of the movie…her entire life devoted to serving other people.
Colossians 2:6-10 (NLT) reminds us.
“6 As you have put your trust in Christ Jesus the Lord to save you from the punishment of sin, now let Him lead you in every step. 7 Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.
8 Be careful that no one changes your mind and faith by much learning and big sounding ideas. Those things are what men dream up. They are always trying to make new religions. These leave out Christ. 9 For Christ is not only God-like, He is God in human flesh. 10 When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers”
Completeness and contentment comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ, living a life that is Christ centered and outwardly focused. All other paths are faux…fakes, cheap imitations, or artificial substitutes that end in emptiness.
Keith