FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

Keith and I have 4 beautiful children and although they are uniquely different in their own special way, they all amazingly look just like us! It could very easily be said, we have a family resemblance. When I first held them in my arms – some of their features were obvious, but others have gradually been more apparent as they grew up. Even to this day, there are features that we never recognized at birth that we are just now beginning to see, especially in our older kids.

When it comes to their outward appearance, they clearly have Keith’s blue eyes and my blonde hair. However, their outward facial expressions resemble that of Keith and I as well. When one of my kids taste something they don’t like, the face they make is almost identical to one I would make. When they are clearly upset about something or disappointed in a situation, their facial expression can resemble Keith in the same situation. As you can see, there are many different components that accompany a “Family Resemblance.” As a whole, our children are a direct reflection of us. Not only do they look like us, but depending on how they act, what they say to others, or even what they believe or fight for; it will ultimately reflect what others think of us, as individuals and as parents.

I have personally met some kids and thought – Wow! They got issues. Then later I met their parents and wondered, “how did they fall so far from the tree?” As their parents were nothing of what I expected. Ironically, our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father, is completely identical.

In Genesis 1:27 (amp) it says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
So there you have it! We were created in His image, we resemble Him. But it doesn’t end there… we are also a direct reflection of God to those around us. How we act, what we say to others, and what we believe or fight for; ultimately becomes God’s display.

When we accepted Christ into our lives a transformation took place from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light. Just like with our kids at the hospital; a few obvious features began to display immediately but other features happen gradually; as we grow in God. We begin to learn about God’s character and display His characteristics to others. For example, attending church regularly, reading our Bible, or serving in a local church could be immediate features people see that connect us with God. But other characteristics like being kind, showing love and serving others may be features we grow into.

A baby when brought home from the hospital does not love its parents – it’s something they have to grow into and a decision they have to make. While most people correlate love with their feelings or an emotion, I submit to you, love is a choice. And a decision to love someone will always return a positive result.

Love is an indispensable feature that we all must carry to call ourselves Christians. Christ first loved us, therefore we have been given freely the capacity to love others. It’s more than a mandate, its a capacity. A good definition of capacity is, “The ability to receive or contain; the actual ability to perform, yield or withstand.” Having the capacity to love someone is a Godly characteristic that everyone experiences personally and will gradually grow into more and more as they learn more about Him.

In 1 John 4:7-8 (amp) it says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is born of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. (8) He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.

Our love for others will be a testimony that we belong to God. People will see the immediate “family resemblance” as they see God in us and that is a priceless opportunity we don’t want to miss!