Resembling Parents?
As you have matured, have you ever noticed that you look more and more like your father or mother? A bit frightening sometimes, huh!?
Has your father ever said something like “You’re just like your mother” or your mother said “You’re just like your father”.
If your parents are happily married, maybe that was a compliment. If they’re not so happy, or are divorced, it could be less than complimentary to say the least!
Have you ever noticed that the older you or a sibling gets, the more you or they actually LOOK like one of your parents? Maybe they resemble, stand like, talk like or act like they do.
As the new year progresses, I find myself desiring to resemble my Father more and more.
A Glimpse of His Image
We are coming up on the one year anniversary of many difficult personal things in my life, most notably the time spent with my earthly father for a couple of weeks prior to his passing away (in early February, 2023).
Every now and then, a family member will remind me of my father for one reason or another, carrying on a glimpse of his image here on earth. That can be endearing or unnerving at times, depending on the circumstances.
In desiring the resemblance of my Father, I’m not referring to my earthly father though. I’m talking of the Heavenly Father.
The Radiance of God's Glory
As we are maturing, it would be wonderful to resemble Him more and more.
Scripture says of Jesus, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3a NIV)
What a beautiful thought, that Jesus (perfectly and completely) resembles the Heavenly Father, and even more profoundly, that because we have HIS Holy Spirit abiding in us (who believe and have put our faith in Him), He now transforms us, so that as we mature (and “age” like fine wine in the Spirit I suppose;), we potentially begin to “look like Him”, even as we might begin to look like our earthly parents
You Look JUST Like Your Father!
So, next time you’re a little creeped out by how you or a sibling begins to look just like one of your parents, let that renew hope within that JUST MAYBE, you have also begun to take on the resemblance of your Heavenly Father.
Jesus is, after all, the firstborn among many, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)
Oh, that His family members would ALL begin to take on a striking resemblance, that we could all be the “spittin’ image” of our Father, maybe a “chip off the old block”, or better yet, a “chip off the old Rock”.
And when someone remarked, “You’re just like your Father!”, we could take it as a humbling compliment, knowing that by His grace, He is showing Himself in and through us to a longing world that is in profound need of a loving, faithful and perfect Father.
Maybe next time you catch a glimpse or hint of the “radiance of God’s glory” in one of His children, you’ll find yourself remarking “Wow, you look JUST like your Father!”