Duke continues to stay on top in college basketball with nine straight wins to start the season. Last night they pulled away late in a tight game with Indiana, winning 91-81. They are a young team filled with impressive freshmen who have burst onto the scene by immediately contributing.

Their big man, Marvin Bagley III, has especially stood out by averaging 22.3 points and 11. 1 rebounds per game, including two recent performances of scoring at least 30 and grabbing 15 rebounds.

His skills and demeanor have drawn attention from fans and media members, and the Hall of Famer David Robinson (who is also a Dad of a Duke player) especially spoke highly of him when he made this recent comparison:

“He reminds me a little bit of Tim Duncan in being so mature with the ball. He’s got the same composure as a young Tim. I saw Tim in college at Wake [Forest], and he was phenomenal in terms of being patient. He never got rattled, and that’s Bagley. He’s the same way. Fantastic kid.”

Considering Tim Duncan’s outstanding career, that’s very high praise for a young player – and a wonderful standard to be compared.

In much the same way as noticing current players who remind us of previous players, I wonder who comes to mind when others watch us live out our lives.

I’m sure players appreciate being noticed for specific qualities in their game and character, and how they represent the similarities of another great player. But a more important question to unpack today is if others see similarities to Jesus when viewing how we live our lives.

We know we’ll never be perfect, but we are called to be like Jesus and represent the characteristics He embodied while living on earth. He revealed to us what God is like, and ultimately we want to resemble His holiness and cause others to see Him in us.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (AMP) encourages us with these words: “Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.”

Today, I hope we’re challenged to evaluate our own character and consider if our lives remind others of God. Do they see something different about us? Do we stand out and lead others to think about God when they watch us?

Marvin Bagley III has a long way to go to be more like Tim Duncan, but at least he’s showing glimpses of similarities. We, too, have plenty of room to grow in our Christlikeness, but let’s be challenged to pursue a life that reminds others of Jesus. Let’s allow His Spirit to work within us, so that we can become more and more like Him.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to be more and more like You. Please help me to rely on Your Spirit to show me how to imitate You in all areas of my life. I pray that others would be reminded of You when they see me or interact with me. I pray that Your goodness would shine through me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.