Created In His Image

Genesis 1:27

We begin 2014 with a greater hunger for God and His power.  Realizing this is not going to happen without any effort on our part, we commit to taking time in the evenings to come together, as a family, for the purpose of reading the Bible and prayer.

I must admit God brought me to my knees the first evening we sat down together.  I consider myself a loving individual.  Through the overwhelming forgiveness I have personally received from the Lord, I like to think that I have become a more merciful person as well.  As I look back over my life, I can see that I have always been drawn to the less-fortunate, the “underdogs,” those who live underprivileged lives at no choice of their own.  Oh, how I enjoy giving to these individuals and watching their faces light up as they realize that SOMEONE really does care about their seemingly unimportant lives.

This year God is speaking a new life-lesson to me.  EVERYONE has been created in the image of God.  Our Triune God gave special attention to create every person in our spheres of influence, including those surrounding us in social media and the entertainment world!  I don’t know about you but for some I just do not have the patience nor the tolerance!  

I look at their riotous lifestyles, despise their choices and before long find myself repulsed by these individuals instead of seeing them as God sees them.  Do not misunderstand me.  I wish them no harm, but I can’t say there is a warm, fuzzy feeling deep in my heart for them either.  

Catch my drift?  Do you ever find yourself more kind to the kindhearted?  More accepting of those who are lovable?  More merciful to the less-fortunate than you are to those who blatantly drove head first into a sea of really bad choices? 

When was the last time you wept for the wavering politician?  The evil murderer?  The lonely prostitute?  The gang member?  The abusive spouse?  The child molester? Or the high-class, rich executive who squandered the investments of many?

Even THESE were created in His image.  For even THESE the plan of God is good.  He longs to have a relationship with even THESE.  Will hate, separation, and judgement lead them to repentance?  How can we make a difference in their lives?  

This year I choose to view every human being as a creative masterpiece of God. My heart is changed, judgements washed clean.  In 2014, I resolve to see all as equal in the eyes of the Lord and I consciously choose to care!  How will you make a difference? 

Matthew 5:43-48