The first question my mother asks when a child is born is, “Who does he look like?” This always confuses me. Babies have a unique look. They’re squishy, cuddly and have a unique baby smell. It’s hard to compare a baby with a guy in his 30s who trims his beard and smells like, well, not like a baby. As much as I hate to admit it, mom was on to something. Kids look like their parents. You may look like your mother or father, but one day you’ll perfectly reflect the Son.  

We know from 1 John 3:1 that when Jesus appears, we will be like him. Sometimes we confuse being like Jesus with being Jesus. We’re not Jesus. He’s one of a kind. It never ends well when we play a role that’s already cast. He doesn’t need us to sit in his seat or hold his place in the front of the line. Even though we’re not called to be Jesus, we are called to be like Jesus. We should reflect Jesus in how we think and act.  

Thinking and acting like Jesus can be overwhelming. If we’re honest, we must admit we fall woefully short. The whole sinless bit is a hard act to follow. But as we imperfectly pursue the Perfect One, we can make another mistake, too. We can assume the presence of sin in our lives means we have no power over sin. We believe that we are who we are. We take it at face value that we’re never going to change. That’s not just unfortunate, but unbiblical. God is changing us.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

God is in the business of changing people. He does it all the time. He turns persecutors into preachers, scared fishermen into bold disciples, and crooks into Christ-followers. God has done this throughout time, and he’s doing it right now in you. So, go ahead, reflect your Father.