Who Do You Look Like?

Last week, I participated in an intensive, three-day training event to equip chaplains, sworn officers, and code employees at the Illinois State Police Academy (ISP). The topics were crisis management and wellness. This may surprise you, but law enforcement is exposed to significant trauma four to six times greater than the general population. Our role, as chaplains, is to not only deal with our own susceptibility to compassion fatigue, but at the same time “help the helpers!”

As I was sitting in the instruction room during a session, I noticed a mirror mounted on a board with a placard attached that said, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” I have seen variations of this quote usually attributed to Will Rogers, who said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I was curious how this saying was being applied in a law enforcement setting.

One of the new chaplains who serves along with me throughout the Capital City was sitting nearby the day I noticed the mirror and quote. This experienced, retired trooper now serves as an ISP chaplain. I was part of the interview process when she was considered for chaplaincy. I knew that she had graduated from the academy back in the day and that she would know what this placard was all about.

She explained that it all relates to Command Presence. This term is akin to what a sportscaster recently said of one of my favorite young baseball players, “This guy looks like a ballplayer!” Applying the term in this context, Command Presence suggests, “This person looks like a law enforcement officer!” In other words, there is a certain professionalism, general manner, and overall bearing that defines an Illinois State Police Trooper.

The fancy term for all of this is comportment. This term includes dress, posture, movement, behavior, and dignity. This impacts a person’s look, character, and carriage. My trooper/chaplain friend said, “The uniform and general appearance must reflect the look and way a person carries themselves!” The ISP has a designated quartermaster and facility that resources each trooper with all they need to look the part. It is then up to the individual to exhibit the commitment and discipline that shapes their comportment.

The Old Testament Scriptures note that shiny surfaces or mirrors were used by women for grooming. When the Tabernacle was constructed, some of the Hebrew women donated their bronze mirrors to make the basin and its bronze stand for the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 38:8). The more memorable reference to a mirror, for me, is in the New Testament book of James and is a metaphor for the Word of God.

“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, and walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.” (James 1:22-24, The MSG).

Many of us look into the mirror several times daily to deal with the hard reality of what we see. A mirror is revealing. We make adjustments requiring combs, brushes, and cosmetics. Spiritually, as the metaphor invites us, we need to look into the reflective and shiny surface of God’s Word to evaluate our comportment. We must ask the compelling questions of ourselves, “Who do I look like? Do I look the part of a Christ follower in my speech and behavior?”

The bar has been set high. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5). This journey to Christlikeness is a lifetime work of instruction and obedience. The work of the Holy Spirit is like a “spiritual quartermaster” who indwells us with power and enablement to become like Jesus in our comportment – mind, body, and spirit!

This kind of look will be evident to all who see us. Our world needs to see genuine Christianity in action. How much more could God get the glory in our lives if others would think of us in this way… “This person looks just like a Christian!” 

Related Article: My Accent

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
©2018-2026 All rights reserved.
Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

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