Casandra Martin

We were visiting a new church. My husband and I settled into a pew, soaking in the worship and praise flowing from hearts committed to serving the Lord. We thanked God for the opportunity to worship with such wonderful people as the final prayer was lifted toward heaven. It didn’t take more than a minute after the ‘Amen’ for a woman to appear by my side, addressing me by name.

“I know who you are,” she said. “I knew your brother in college and you look exactly like him.” Although we had never met, she knew precisely who I was, who I belonged to, and the connection we shared. Family resemblance is a powerful thing.

Family resemblance takes many forms. Sometimes it is found in the way a family shares physical characteristics. Other times we see the resemblance in mannerisms, habits, preferences, or quirks. Parents are often startled the first time they hear their words or see their gestures mirrored in their little ones. These resemblances tie families together, cementing values and love among the people who share them.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26a, 27

God created us to have a family resemblance beyond our physical families. Our most important family resemblance is found in the way we look like Jesus. This is the family resemblance that lies at the heart of God’s purpose for you.

My Jesus Resolution today is to look like Jesus. I want people to be able to see the connection I share with my Father. I want others to see Him mirrored in my words, actions, attitudes, and choices. God’s very first words about man reflect His great desire that we share a resemblance with His own heart. I long for the family resemblance to be so strong that the world can’t help but notice that I belong to the family of God.