Скачать или смотреть (Don't) Imitate Me

Original song written and recorded by Jonathan and Sarah Breaux.

I (Sarah) wrote lyrics on this one. In the past when I was a kid, I heard people compare their kids to me, or use me as an example. As I've gotten older, maybe people don't do that, but I do get a sense that some people don't know me, only my reputation of righteousness (and that's not the real me). Other people may know the "real me" and see my righteousness as hypocrisy. In truth, it's both. Christ IS in me, but so is my flesh. However, because Christ is in me, neither my personal righteousness (nor my failures Rom 8:1) have any hold on me.

Christ is who we point to. Any good we can do is only a faint glimmer of His glory. So I join Paul in saying "Imitate Me" but don't imitate me - imitate the expression of Christ through me. I pray my life can be that kind of example, and that my brothers and sisters can look past me and see Him instead.

(DON’T) IMITATE ME
Sarah Gerstenberg
January 25, 2017

[VERSE 1]
F C
I’m terrified you’ll figure me out
F Bb
That I’m counterfeit inside
F
My private mind is sour
C Bb
Though the outside might look so nice
F C
I might seem I’ve got it together,
F Bb
Even oozing Jesus out (at times)
F C
But I’ve hardly attained perfection
Bb
Don’t let me fool ya


[CHORUS 1]
Dm F
Cause I’m nothing but a sinful soul
Bb
A wretched worm
C
Compared to my Savior
Dm F
I am nothing but a fallen one
C
Don’t let my façade take you in
Dm C
Don’t make an idol of me
Dm C
Don’t make a hero of me
Dm C
Don’t even look at me
C
Don’t watch me fall


[VERSE 2]
F C
I am afraid you’ll set me as standard
F Bb
An example to contemplate
F
But I know the hard truth,
C Bb
That I make a poor spoof of Christ
F C
Though I look to be found in Him,
F Bb
Even sharing in His sufferings
(at times)
F C
I’ve hardly made this my own
Bb
Don’t let me fool ya


[CHORUS 2]
Dm F
Cause I’m nothing but a small signpost
Bb
The Master’s pawn
C
I’m in His shadow
Dm F
I am nothing but a child at most
C
Don’t let my imitation distract
Dm C
From the treasure I hold
Dm C
From the God made known
Dm C
From His beauty alone
C Dm Bb
He’s upholds me to the very end


[VERSE 3]
Bb F
I know my pride, I know my credentials
Bb Eb
The righteousness of my life
Bb
I could give all the proofs
F
But what good does that do?
Eb
– I count it loss
Bb F
Everything is forfeit for the purpose
Bb Eb
Of knowing Christ my Savior
Bb F
I forget all my flesh –good and bad –

[Instrumental????]
Bb
There’s no confidence
Eb
Nor condemnation
Bb
Press on, press on
F Eb
For the restoration!


[CHORUS 3]
Gm Bb
And in this I can say “Imitate me”
Eb
Keep your eyes straight
F
Forward straining
Gm Bb
Echo those reflecting Christ’s example
F
The Spirit’s sample of the greater goal
Gm F
He is the Savior
Gm F
He is the firstfruits
Gm F Eb
Of redemption of this body that I loath
Gm F
He will redeem it
Eb Eb
and absolve my sins and weaknesses


[OUTRO]
Eb Bb
I’m no longer terrified
Gm Eb
That you’ll see my smallness inside
F
It matters not anymore
Eb C
I’ll stand firm on hope
Bb
Will you join with me?