Ever since I bought Petra’s 1991 album Sight Unseen a week ago I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. All the songs are great, but In The Likeness Of You is my favourite by a long way. It reminds me of Home and encourages me on Earth.

Most Petra songs are heavy rock, containing soaring vocals, heavy drums, driving guitars and dramatic keys. But In The Likeness Of You isn’t a heavy rock song, it’s soft, melodic, harmonious and an effortless glide. This allows the message and John’s vocals to really give the song life. If you know Petra it’s in the mould of Don’t Let Your Heart Be Hardened (This Means War!) and Prayer (Beyond Belief).

My first listen to Sight Unseen was during a workout. I was in the backyard and as I listened I wondered why I hadn’t bought this amazing album before. I had just finished a set when In The Likeness Of You came on, and from the first line I was hooked. Because I was resting I had time to listen, and as I did I couldn’t help but look up. The first thing I did after hearing it was play it again.

The first words of the song are:
In the likeness of you
Recreated, renewed
Let me awake, forever
In the likeness, in the likeness of you

Straight away I thought of Heaven, my home. The first verse continues this theme of coming home, but with the addition of sleep and dreaming of home. For me that aligned with thoughts I’ve had recently of wanting to honour God with my dreams. Wanting my actions in my dreams to honour and show the love of Christ, not just while I’m sleeping, but also my dreams of the future.

The second verse changes focus, instead of dreaming of home, we’re reminded of Earth. In this life we’re called to represent Christ to the world. We can’t do that by acting like this world, but only by following Christ and becoming more like him everyday until we’re finally complete.

The bridge affirms this message, In all I say and all I do, and the heavy drums come in to really make sure this message hits right between the ears.

Every time I hear In The Likeness Of You, it leaves me in awe just thinking of Christ. Very few songs have such an impact on me, but this song has. And I pray it’ll impact you too.

In The Likeness Of You – Petra