Now that I type the phrase “spitting image,” that sounds disgusting… anyway…
I hear it all the time.
“You two are just alike!”
We look alike.
We walk the same.
We have identical expressions.
She laughs like me.
Her character is much like mine; we find the same things funny, she’s sensitive like me, independent like me, slightly stubborn and bossy… but I don’t know where she gets that from…
We’re so much alike, it’s crazy.
But it’s obvious right? It’s because we spend almost every waking hour with each other; and we have for over 8 years now.
That’s a long time to build a relationship, so of course we’re just alike.
This was all brought to my attention the other day. We are always together, so she’s learned all her characteristics from me. And I want that kind of relationship with Jesus.
As Christians, we are called to be imitators of Christ.
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
We cannot imitate someone we don’t know. And we can’t mimic characteristics we don’t experience.
I told some friends the other day, that we always say we wish we could truly, physically sit down and talk to Jesus. That if He could just call us, or text us, things would be better. But to be completely honest, if Jesus were my neighbor, I’d be too busy to visit. I don’t want to admit that kind of thing, but I’ve had a new neighbor since February, and I have no idea what her name is or what she even looks like. True story, I’m a terrible neighbor.
But truthfully, we spend time texting our friends or talking on the phone to vent about life and daily struggles. We make specific doctor or dental appointments to heal our physical pains and check-ups. We plan dates to build relationships with friends and spouses. But where is our Jesus check-up? Where is our Jesus date? If He was your neighbor, would you even walk over to talk about life?
We know Jesus is the answer, we know He is our healer, our provider; He’s compassionate, loving, forgiving; He’s full of peace, knowledge, and wisdom… all the things we want to experience, and to be.
I want to be like Jesus, I want to have all his characteristics. I want the peace, the joy, the forgiveness, and the wisdom; so I have to make the time, spend the time, and devote myself to the relationship.
My daughter didn’t become my identical twin just because she is my daughter… We are all the children of God, it’s up to us to maintain the relationship and reflect the true image of Jesus into the world.
“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
