My husband was enrolled in Genetics, the study of inherited characteristics, in medical school when we started making plans for a family. We spent our evenings talking about dominant and recessive traits and which we possessed and would likely be passed on to our children. No amount of imagining could have prepared us for the three unique individuals conceived in the mind of God long before we even existed. One primary trait, however, trumps them all. We are created in the image of God.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.1.27.NLT
Holding my little grandson in my arms affords me a fresh visual of this God-image. He is changing in small ways everyday. He is learning and growing and filling out this flesh and bone frame fashioned to double and triple its own size several times before he reaches maturity. When my daughter still carried him, he was totally dependent on her to meet all his needs. Once he entered the world, he’s had to learn to suck and swallow, digest, rest, and even sleep in a new way. He’s adapting quickly to his environment and thriving in it. He communicates his needs fairly well without a vocabulary and he is often content to just watch and listen. He is a living, breathing billboard for the existence of all-powerful God.
One man, born of a virgin, Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, is the exact representation of God’s image. His life, given sacrificially for us, prepares us for a similar transformation toward God-likeness.
“The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendor, the exact expression of God’s true nature—his mirror image! He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of his spoken word. He accomplished for us the complete cleansing of sins, and then took his seat on the highest throne at the right hand of the majestic One.”
Hebrews 1:3 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/heb.1.3.TPT
“However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:7, 12-13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.4.7-13.NLT
We are made in the image of God and He is making His image apparent in us.
“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.4.7.NLT
““You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.14-16.NLT”
When people ask who my grandson reminds me of, I say I can see characteristics of both his mom and dad in him. When they look at me, I know they see traits of both my father and my mother, but I pray they’ll see my resemblance to Jesus too.
Dear Father God,
I am created in Your image, female, and You say it is very good. You are Light and in You is no darkness at all. I trust You to shine Your light brightly through the cracks in this clay pot, making and remaking me as You see fit until I measure up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Let my light shine so that others may see the good I do and praise You, Heavenly Father. All honor and glory to You now and forevermore. Amen.
A Fitting Reply 