by Dorette Saunders
Jesus was always looking for the good in people. While you and I may look at someone and presumptively claim, “There’s not a good bone in him or her,” Jesus would easily see a person for who they were and what they could become. Look at cheating Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10) or Mary Magdalene who was possessed by demons (Luke 8:2). Yet, Jesus saw their potential because each person is created in the image of God.
Imago Dei.
Don’t take the fact that we were made in God’s image lightly. It is a unique privilege to be fashioned by God, in his image.
Imagine, the Creator of the universe thought we were worthy of bearing his seal! We are special! Nothing else in all God’s creation is like us.
The account in Genesis tells us:
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:26a-28, NIV).
God consciously decided he wanted us. So we are by no means an accident. Purposely and creatively God fashioned us. Intimately, God blew breath into our nostrils and we received life (Genesis 2:7).
Our DNA comes from God who designed us “fearfully and wonderfully” (Psalm 139:14). God put every one of our genes in place. It certainly would have been more than sufficient for us to be designed by our master craftsman, God. Yet, God also placed purpose in each of our lives.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
And while we don’t earn our salvation through works, these “good works” often point others to the amazing God whom we serve.
“…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV).
Stop for a moment and check out your “light.” Is it shining brightly or is it blurred with the distractions in the world around you?
Let’s aim for “shining brightly.” And yes, we sometimes (or often) miss the mark and we find ourselves riddled with anxiety, crippled by fear, or demoralized because we think we are not good enough.
Stop. Take a moment to breathe. Take time to remember the breaths God so loving placed in you. As you breathe remember
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3, NIV).
We are enough. Designer labels don’t come close to the intricate and intimate design God has placed on us. People look at the outside, but God looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Our designer genes were carefully crafted by God. So shine! Be who you are to the glory of God!
PRAYER: Creator God, our designer, you have fashioned us like no one else. We worship you. Thank you for every gene you have placed in us to identify us as yours. Remind us always that we belong to you and help us to bear your name proudly. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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