Imprints

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:26-27

Whenever you hear the story about our creation, you hear, "We were created in God's image". Above is the reference to the Bible for that, but (for me at least) it's easy to read that and pass it by without fully understanding or appreciating what "God's image" actually means. So let's start out defining what image means:

image: A reproduction of the form of a person or object
or
image: One that closely or exactly resembles another

Hmm, so now applying this to "God's image" we get...A reproduction of the form of God? One that closely or exactly resembles God??!? Surely this can't be so...we're talking about the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving Creator of the Universe! Not to be harsh, but I don't think you or I have ever created a Universe. I know you and I don't know what's going to happen ten minutes from now, much less knowing everything that has happened, is happening, or will happen, to everyone that has existed, is existing, or will exist!

Alright, now that we all feel really tiny (it kind of feels good doesn't it?), let's move on. Our previous sobering moment reveals to us that "God's image" definitely does not mean we were created to be God. We aren't created to be replications of God, and we aren't created to be reproductions of the forms of God.

If you look carefully at the beginning Bible passage, you see the phrase "in our likeness". God is talking about Himself, so let's rephrase it to: "in God's likeness". Alright...so "God's image" == "God's likeness", what the heck does likeness mean?

likeness: The state, quality, or fact of being like; resemblance.
or
likeness: An imitative appearance; a semblance.

I think we're getting somewhere now...likeness implies "having qualities", so you created in God's likeness means you were created having qualities of God! Wow...let's figure out where that fits in your life.

God's image is what makes humanity so unique in this world. When God created you, He breathed into you the ability to experience joy, fall in love, enjoy sunsets, write poetry, sing songs, and create works of art. He gave you a mind that can reason, learn, and adapt. He instilled into you the drive to succeed, your hopes, and your dreams. He gave you the gift to not only live life, but to enjoy life!

Even further, He created us with the capacity to be fulfilled. Fulfilled on what? Well, that's a discussion for another day =D To wrap all this up, anytime you're down or questioning anything, remember that God imprinted a piece of Himself inside of you. Every time you hear, "You were created in God's image", think about what that really means!

I'm off to Spring Break! Hope everyone has a good week.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14