Made in God's Image
Scripture Reading — Genesis 1:26-31
God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule…” … God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
—Genesis 1:26, 31
Sometime today take a few moments to look at yourself in a mirror.
When you do, don’t look for wrinkles or gray hairs or for things you don’t like about yourself. Try to ignore whatever blemishes you see, and, while looking at yourself, say out loud, “I am made in God’s image.”
We were made to look like God—not physically, but with the ability to love, to choose, and to communicate. Psalm 8:5 tells us we were made “a little lower than the angels and crowned … with glory and honor.” Psalm 139:14 adds that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God himself.
Perhaps it’s difficult for some of us to believe we are special. Maybe other people have made you feel that you are insignificant and worth very little. Maybe you are in a stage of life in which you feel useless. Perhaps you are confined to your bed, unable to do the things you want to do. If so, you need to know that you are special no matter what—because you bear God’s image.
Because we are made in God’s image, he cares about each one of us. Isaiah 49:16 says that we are engraved on the palms of God’s hands. He wants to use each one of us in his goal of renewing his creation.
Lord our God, thank you for the honor of bearing your image. Please use each one of us to honor you. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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