Day 3: God's Image

Genesis 1:26-27

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Comments

Could anything be more astounding than the idea that humanity is created in the image of God?

But what does this exactly mean? Surely “image of God” refers to something other than arms and legs, hands and feet, or other body parts. Here are some things that might be understood as God’s image:

Thinking (mind) – understanding complex ideas and situations; imagining the future consequences of our present actions and planning accordingly

Feeling (heart) – experiencing joy, sorrow, peace, anger, awe, beauty, goodness, compassion and a host of other things

Doing (soul) –  the choices we make and the actions we take that give shape to our lives

Reflections

What other attributes of God might be included in this “image of God” in which we were created?

When did you last give thanks to God for the miracle of your own life?

Prayer

Thank you, God, for the wonderful way you have made me. May those who look at me see your image in me, and may I see you in them. Amen.