Like Jesus

Romans 8:29

Yesterday I relayed a story about an experience I had over the Thanksgiving break while in Panama City. I thought I’d share another one, because it got a belly laugh out of Ethan. We were sitting at one of our favorite taco places enjoying lunch. It was pretty quiet, so I asked him if the people from Progressive Insurance asked him to script their next commercial about children becoming their parents, what would he say. He seriously laughed out loud. I’m not exactly sure how to take his response, other than (A) there is so much material, and (B) he dreads the day. He said he really didn’t know, but Tiffany and I assured him it would happen.

Romans 8:29 tells us that God wants believers to be just like Jesus. Funny commercials that reveal the quirky things we do as we mature can only cast the slightest of shadows about how God wants us to conduct our lives. He wants us to be merciful, generous, gracious, kind, and loving. God also wants us to be fierce for His cause and warriors for those who cannot speak up or care for themselves. Jesus said we have seen God if we have seen Him. Do you think someone else could be able to say something similarly just by looking at you? I know we get it wrong a lot, but there are also times we get it right.

I know that is true for Ethan and me. I feel the lingering sting of regret for times I didn’t handle things like I should. I know he is learning how to be an adult based on how Tiffany and I conduct ourselves. We have good role models, but we also have faith that the work God started in us is ongoing, and He is faithful to see it through to completion. Sure, that might mean that Ethan is scripting those Progressive style commercials in his head that hit oh so close to home, but my deeper prayer is that when he looks at me, he can find even the slightest glimpse of Jesus.

How about you?