If you’re like me, then you can relate to a time you acted as though you were much more clever than you really were. For me, I remember it like it was yesterday. 

When I was fresh out of college, I landed a job I thought fit my personality perfectly. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment, the excessive organization, and the constant customer service. It wasn’t my dream job by any means, but it was exactly what I was looking for.

During my second week of employment, I was promoted to a solo role that would not only advance my title, but also my significance within the company. I was thrilled and confused because frankly, I was still learning how to execute the tasks given to me leading up to this point. Nevertheless, I happily took on the challenge and basked in my new “top-dog” title in the office–the only position that would share no responsibility (or accountability) with another.

With my growing success and accomplishments, I began to get very comfortable managing my own difficult customers. So much, in fact, that I had somehow gained enough confidence (or arrogance) to pull a stunt that I had never and will never do again.

I decided I would impersonate my boss.

After what seemed like the longest ten minutes of my customer service career, the upset customer I was on the phone with asked to speak to my Manager because my solutions were not suitable for them. So, rather than being the respectful employee I should I have been, I placed the customer on hold, took a few deep breaths, and returned to the phone and stated that I was the Manager. I continued convincing the customer that she had been talking to the Manager the entire time and  there was no other solution available outside of the one I had provided earlier.

Not only was my decision to impersonate my boss a ridiculous idea, but I must have executed my impersonation poorly, because the customer hung up, dialed our call center (instead of our direct office), requested the Manager at my branch, and was transferred directly to my Manager’s office. My entire plan  back-fired in my face as it was unfolding.

Needless to say, my Manager handled the situation with more grace than I deserved. It was one of those moments when I realized I had allowed my knowledge and skill in my position to lead me to a place of arrogance that could have easily provided my downfall.

I was thinking of this not-so-funny-then, but somewhat-funny-now situation when my eyes were opened to a very similar epidemic happening within the Christian body:  the impersonation of our Father.

Impersonating the Father doesn’t mean someone picks up the phone and acts like she’s “God” with a new voice or attitude. Impersonating Him is much more subtle and harder to distinguish from everyday conversations.

I can recall moments and situations where I have impersonated the Lord in relationships, at work, in church, at home, and online. You may be alarmed when you realize this impersonation is happening everywhere and very possibly within your own heart.

When we decide what another person should be doing with her life – we are impersonating the Father.

When we force our children to possess certain skills or talents – we are impersonating the Father.

When we treat others as if our perspective is the only perspective worth having – we are impersonating the Father.

When we project our “rights and wrongs” on the unsaved – we are impersonating the Father.

When we make our own decisions for our future because it’s what we want– we are impersonating the Father.

When we reject individuals in church because they don’t “belong” – we are impersonating the Father.

When we predict the future or future consequences of us or someone else– we are impersonating the Father.

Every time we decide to take matters into our own hands and depend on our own understanding– we are impersonating the Father.

There are so many examples of what it looks like when we pretend to be God, but the truth of the matter is this–there is only one Father, and He will not be mocked (or impersonated). We, as Christians, have to stop pretending  we are more clever or wise than we are. After all, the Bible does say, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” {Luke 14:11}.

The wisdom we gain from our own understanding will leave us impersonating the only One who can save, redeem, restore, and ultimately exalt us. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” {James 3:17}.

Ever since my brave and foolish moment of impersonating my Manager, the Lord has been working faithfully within my heart to bring me to a place of heavenly wisdom and uprooting the false security of my own understanding. The transformation has been both challenging and rewarding, and one that I encourage everyone to pursue.

If you’re like me and have found yourself impersonating the Father in multiple occasions, I urge you to get alone with God and give back the authority that is rightfully His. He is a merciful God, and His grace is abounding.  He will gladly remove your superficial satisfaction and lead you to a life that will eternally satisfy your soul. But, I need to leave you with the same warning the Lord gave me. If we do not stop impersonating the Father and humble ourselves before Him, then He will humble us Himself.