A Spitting Image

by John Bishop, Director of Spiritual Formation,
based on this week's chapel message

It is a nearly universal experience, when a baby is born, for people to compare how the child looks to his or her parents. This instinctive reaction is often captured with the phrase, “Oh, he’s a spitting image.” It’s almost irresistible to point out the resemblance, especially when you know the family well. Sometimes it’s obvious, like the shape of a nose or a familiar smile. Other times it’s subtle: the way a child tilts her head, laughs, or carries himself through a room.

Of course, resemblance isn’t always physical. Some children don’t look much like their parents at all, yet the family connection is unmistakable. Maybe they share the same competitive streak, the same dry sense of humor, or the same response when frustration sets in. These similarities are more than endearing observations; they quietly remind us of who we are—and whose we are.

This is especially evident in adoption, where there is no biological connection. Even then, you can often recognize the family bond almost immediately. Belonging, in this case, goes far beyond genetics. It shows up in shared values, rhythms of life, patterns of speech, and ways of relating to the world. Over time, love shapes identity.

The same phenomenon happens in communities. Groups of people begin to “look like each other” through shared habits and values. When I lived in Canada, people genuinely did say “sorry” all the time. Now that I live in Miami, I can often recognize locals by how they dress, how loudly they talk in restaurants, and by phrases like “Bro” or “Oh, that’s super cute.” Toss the word pero into an otherwise English sentence, and the Miami origin becomes undeniable.

This is no accident. Scripture tells us that God created human beings in His image. In Genesis 1:26–28, we see a clear distinction: while plants and animals are made “according to their kinds,” humanity is created in the image of God Himself. In other words, there is an undeniable family resemblance between humanity and divinity.

We reason, create, discern right from wrong, recognize beauty, and love. These qualities set us apart and reflect the character of our Creator. This is why every human life carries inherent dignity and worth. It’s why kindness, generosity, belonging, and justice matter—and why hatred, racism, and selfishness are fundamentally wrong.

When we step back and look at humanity as a whole, the resemblance becomes clear. God created us to reflect

Him—to bear His character into the world. And when love, justice, creativity, and mercy are on display, the family resemblance comes into focus. We were always meant to be recognizable as His—to be, in the truest sense, a spitting image of our Father.