As I show my grandchildren and children’s pictures, different ones comment on whom they “see” in a child’s image. One of my granddaughter’s bears strong resemblance of my father. Another granddaughter looks just like her dad. My two girls look like their dad (or me depending on who you ask). No matter what they do to themselves, they still bear the image of their ancestry. That is their physical inheritance. It is in their genes.
spittin' Image
Image is everything in the world’s eyes. Clothes, hairstyles, types of cars, houses … “make the man”. But, when you take all that away you are left with just a human being. What they are really made of is all that matters then.
A young man I know is contemplating a tattoo, putting a name of God on his arm. I asked Him why and he said, “to remind me of who God is to me. It won’t show. But, I’ll know it’s there and when I see it I will remember what He has done for me.” I thought about that for a while. The young man is not even the ‘tattoo’ type. But, we are in a culture where that is the way things are expressed. But, if it is not seen, then what is the point? Image. Take away all the “decorations”, what is left. The person …. then what do you see?
2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.”
Galatians 2:20 (HCSB)
“and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
When a child is born, their image is defined by their genes. You can tattoo yourself, dye your hair, sunburn (tan) the skin, use contacts to change the eye color … but, the image remains the same if you remove all the “world”.
Genesis 1:27 (NASB) “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.“
When a baby is born into this world the parents (or whomever takes them to raise) has an intended plan for them, a hope, a purpose. Sometimes though, the child takes control and goes their own way. Expressing their personality and style is acceptable in today’s world and explains some of the outrageous “looks” we witness daily. But, when you remove it all you see what they were intended to be.
God created you in His image … it was His intended plan, for a hope and a purpose. We do not need to tattoo our body, wear an emblem, sticker our car to remind us of Him, especially if that is all we do. He created all creation as a reminder of who He is … we only have to look. We are part of that creation. People look at us daily. Is there anything about us that screams “His creation … in the image of God”?
1 Thessalonians 2:12 (ESV) “we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
Now, “momma” says, go polish that image, the world sees the outside before they see the inside (exercise, brush your teeth, comb your hair) …. 😀
Strip yourself down to His image, glorify Him today in your talk, your walk … if necessary your dress. Do people see a rebellious image? Do you express an image that you do not care for His creation by the way you care for yourself? Are you taking the best care of His image? Are you giving the appearance of slothfulness or a fashion snob? What does your image scream? Is His image presented in modesty? Can the world get pass your image to see His?
There is so much to consider when you remember that you are in HIS image. Need a fashion change?
Lights in the Storm 