Character cannot be bought, borrowed, traded for, conferred, imported or inherited. It must be home-grown. Hi, I’m Tom Ellsworth from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a minute message.
There is a classic American idiom that has been used for years to describe anything or anyone who is genuine – he’s the real McCoy. Where did we get such a unique expression for authenticity? In the days of the steam locomotives, keeping the bearings lubricated was a major problem until an inventor named Elijah McCoy patented a lubricating device in 1872 that was so successful it solved the problem. Others tried to illegally imitate or copy McCoy’s innovative system but all other mechanisms were unquestionably inferior. Engineers only wanted the original on their locomotives, so they frequently demanded the “real McCoy.”
Today you are more likely to hear the term “plastic” used to describe someone’s phony or artificial character. God desires that we be genuine people – to live authentic lives wherever we go. After all, that’s his character and it should be ours. Sincere people are trustworthy, they make good friends, and they remain constant in the tough times. Imitations are a dime a dozen – don’t be plastic; you be the real McCoy!