26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.” -Gen. 1:26-28
As soon as a child is born, he or she is put under scrutiny. Immediately, people begin to judge whether or not that child looks like the father or the mother. “He’s got his mother’s eyes.” “He’s got his daddy’s dimples.” Every parent hopes that the child at least resembles him or her in some small way. It represents being a part of something that outlives you.
When God decided to make you in his image, it set you apart from all the rest of creation. God put his stamp on you. He didn’t make anything else in his image. He made humankind unique. Among all of creation, people are the only ones who can say, “We look like our Father.”
While our physical appearances set us apart from others, wouldn’t it be great if our inward person was like our Father? What if people saw your Father in you? “He’s got his Father’s smile; he’s so joyful.” “She’s so compassionate. You know where she gets that from? She’s just like her Dad.”
The people closest to us need to see God in us. What would happen in your home this week if you tried to act more like your Heavenly Father? How would your spouse benefit if you became more patient? How would your family members rejoice if you became more forgiving? How would your work place change if you acted more selflessly rather than selfishly. This week, pray that others see the image of God stamped on your character.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
