Identical

Recently we traveled on a beautiful vacation to Cancun with my twin sister and her husband. The climate and accommodations were outstanding, and also the precautions for COVID-19.  When I travel with my sister and spend more time with her than usual, I can see how much we are alike. We say things at the exact times and answer questions before one of us has the chance even to ask the question. We think alike.

However, stranger than thinking alike is the stares we get when we walk through a crowd.  The inevitable "Are you two twins," is answered daily.  The funny thing is, when you are a twin, you forget that you look alike.

When we entered back into the USA, we had to pass through US Customs. At that point, we separated into lines with different agents. When I went through my line, the customs agent took my passport while facing the camera to match my photo. A moment of silence and a confused look appeared on the agent's face. "Would you step back a little," she said.  Complying, I did as she asked, and she still looked confused, looking at her screen and then back to me.  Suddenly I realized that she might be seeing another person that looked like me on the screen. "Do you see someone else that looks like me?" I asked.  Then I followed it with this, "Is her name Theresa Decker?"  "YES!" came her reply! "That is my twin sister," I said, and she laughed, which is always a good sign when you are at US Customs!  Puzzle solved I was released to get my luggage to go home.

Identical: similar in every detail; exactly alike. My sister and I share the same DNA for sure! When our children and grandchildren are about two years old, they cannot tell us apart, which causes some trauma and laughs! 

While you may not be a twin or have a look-a-like sibling, we do have someone we should resemble by our actions when put to the test. His name is Jesus. When we invite Him into our lives as our Savior and Lord, we have the privilege of reflecting the Lord's glory.

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So, all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3: 16-18 (NLT)

This reflection is an ongoing process. The more you spend time with Jesus, the more you reflect who He is, and others notice your reflection. It's that simple and that hard all at the same time.

Do others see Jesus when they look at you? Like you, at times, I reflect His glory well.  However, there are other times when what I am reflecting is NOT His glory. At those moments, there is a quiet voice speaking to my inner Spirit, saying, "slow down and come spend time with me."  You've been there too, right? My advice; step away from the preverbal "cliff" and take a time out for the sake of others and yourself. 

Spending time with Jesus empowers you to live out your life, reflecting His love. 

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalms 16:11 (NLT)

 It is our responsibility to imitate God to those around us.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

I often thought that my resemblance to my twin sister would diminish as we age. However, the opposite has been true. The older we get, the more we resemble each other. I pray the same is true with my relationship with Jesus. I want there to be an uncanny resemblance until I breathe my final breath on this earth.

Twinning,

Liz