Can Others See My Father in Me?

Like a lot of people, my resemblance to my father becomes more pronounced as I grow older. The fact that Dad pastored a congregation with regionally televised services for more than 25 years made him a recognizable figure to thousands of people throughout central Kentucky. This, in turn, provided a constant stream of remarks about how much I look like him.

My dad retired from the pastorate about 10 years ago; in the last decade I've morphed all the more into his likeness. Now, in addition to comments like "Oh, you look just like your dad," folks who haven't seen him in a while or only know him from TV occasionally mistake me for him.

Once, I walked into a store and the proprietor said, "Hey, are you that preacher on TV?" More embarrassing was the time that, from the corner of my eye, I caught my own reflection in a mirror and did a double take, thinking it was my dad. I realized that not only did I resemble my dad, but my actions also reflected on him and his good name. Now that I could actually be mistaken for him, my behavior might be directly attributed to him. Just great, I thought. Now I am responsible for both our reputations.

Of course, I grew up with a similar dilemma. School teachers and other well-meaning authority figures routinely responded to my lapses in appropriate behavior by reminding me, "You shouldn't do that; your dad is a preacher." Frankly, I didn't think it was fair that through no fault of my own, I was held to a higher standard than other kids. After all, my dad was the preacher, not me.

Over the years, I came to appreciate my upbringing, including that higher standard, of which I so often fell short. My appreciation for my father's godly life and steadfast witness has steadily grown more profound. His dedication to spreading the gospel of Christ, his service to others, his faithfulness to and love for my mother, his commitment to his family and his availability to those in need has been a powerful example of what it means to be a man.

So when people look at me and see my resemblance to my father, I am flattered and proud to be his son. But is the likeness merely physical? I hope not. I aspire to reflect his character as well.

In the same way, I wonder when people see me whether they recognize anything of my heavenly Father. In my own experience, seeing Him in others can be difficult. At times, it is hard to distinguish Christians from everyone else.

So I ask myself, Are my standards for righteousness and justice really any different from those of the culture? Can I be distinguished from the media I consume? Am I any more loving, patient, helpful and forgiving? Are the lives of those who know me influenced for the better?

As His follower, the Lord calls me to be "salt and light," to make a difference because He makes me different. I can do all things through Him, without fear. Yes, I know all this, so I ask myself, Can others see my Father in me?