Every Conversation Has a Beginning
Scripture Reading — Genesis 1:26-31
"Let us make man in our image ... and let them rule ... over all the earth ..." Genesis 1:26
Bible scholars differ on whether this passage is the first recorded insight into the life of the Trinity--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But we can be sure that this act of creation was a thoughtful one. Through this particular passage we receive clear insight into who we are. We are created in God's image.
You and I are not the result of an accident. We are the result of a divine conversation.
We also have divine responsibilities. That doesn't mean we are divine, but we are imagebearers of the divine God who created us. As God's imagebearers, we are not only to image the Lord well in our dealings with other people and all the rest of God's creation, but we are also to be stewards for the God who placed us in this world.
When we begin conversations with other persons, we need to do so with eyes that see those persons clearly. We may not assume that some standard places us above anyone. Other persons are not people to manipulate or to be judged according to a prejudicial standard; they are fellow imagebearers of the God who still calls us to bear his likeness.
What should that likeness be? God's conversations with us will reveal important features of his likeness as we look at other Scriptures throughout this month.
Dear God, thank you for the gift of life you have given us and the gifts of life we can see in this world. Help us to see others as you see them. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About the author — Julius T. Medenblik
Rev. Jul Medenblik is a former attorney who was called to pastoral ministry and became the founding pastor of a church in New Lenox, Illinois. He is currently serving as president of Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jul and his wife, Jackie, are blessed with a son, Joshua, and a daughter, Julianne.
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