Answers For the Year Ahead: Made in What Image?
1) What does it mean to be "made in the image"? What image am I made in?
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe in these words from Genesis: God created mankind in His image. By image, I do not mean that God Almighty looks like a man or woman. "Man is made in God's image" not "God is made in Man's image" I believe mankind shares some of the most important characteristics of our creator God. Most importantly, every man and woman has the Godly desire to rule, or care for, the Earth. Mankind is capable of showing the love, compassion, and care that God shows to His creation.
2) Does the image I'm made in imply that I have innate life purpose and/or responsibility? What is that purpose and/or responsibility?
As Genesis states, God created mankind to rule, or to take care of, all of creation (the Earth). This fact is a guide for how I should treat the people around me. I should not love and honor my neighbors because they have done something good or productive their lives. Rather, every man serves as a reminder of my creator who loves me.
I want to live out a productive and responsible life. Ultimately, I am most productive in my day to day responsibilities when I take joy in the unique abilities God has given to men and women made in His image. Out of the joy I find from God, His creation, and those who are made in His image, I am able to accomplish any task put in front of me.
As Genesis states, God created mankind to rule, or to take care of, all of creation (the Earth). This fact is a guide for how I should treat the people around me. I should not love and honor my neighbors because they have done something good or productive their lives. Rather, every man serves as a reminder of my creator who loves me.
I want to live out a productive and responsible life. Ultimately, I am most productive in my day to day responsibilities when I take joy in the unique abilities God has given to men and women made in His image. Out of the joy I find from God, His creation, and those who are made in His image, I am able to accomplish any task put in front of me.
3) In light of what image I am made in and any responsibility I might have, what is a resolution I can make for this year?
This year I would like to build a new sincere friendship with two to three new people in the community I live in. I define a sincere friendship as a relationship in which I engage in regular dialogue with another person and learn more about what is important in his life. This includes meeting with a new friend for conversation over coffee.
I look forward to listening, rather than speaking to, new people, and hearing stories about their life experiences. The stories I hear from others, whether ordinary or extraordinary, are how I grow the most and better understand what it means to be made in God's image.
This year I would like to build a new sincere friendship with two to three new people in the community I live in. I define a sincere friendship as a relationship in which I engage in regular dialogue with another person and learn more about what is important in his life. This includes meeting with a new friend for conversation over coffee.
I look forward to listening, rather than speaking to, new people, and hearing stories about their life experiences. The stories I hear from others, whether ordinary or extraordinary, are how I grow the most and better understand what it means to be made in God's image.
Comments
Post a Comment