God designed us with a beautiful purpose – to bear the image of God. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them” (Gen 1:27, NIV).
In his book Expressing His Image, Edgar Ellish creates a beautiful mental image: “Imagine a masterpiece painting, carefully crafted by the hand of a renowned artist. Every stroke is intentional, every detail placed with precision to reflect the artist’s heart and vision.
“Now imagine that over time, layer upon layer of paint is added by unskilled hands – smudging the original colours, obscuring the true beauty beneath. The masterpiece still exists, but it is hidden under layers that were never meant to be there.
“This is what happens when we lose sight of our God-given identity and allow the world to redefine us.”
Undoubtedly, difficult times will come. There will be seasons of testing, but these experiences should draw us closer to Christ and bring forth His image in us.
God is a loving Father who wants to:
1. Restore us to Himself: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12, NIV)
2. Empower us to walk in the image and power of Christ: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil 2:13, NLT)
We were not created to reflect the image of a broken world that demands performance, perfection and self-preservation. Rather, we are called to reflect the character of a loving Creator who calls us to grace, truth and purpose.
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Cor 3:18, NLT). We will be what we behold. What we allow to speak into our lives will shape what we believe, our character and ultimately what our lives look like.
It is time to re-align your life with the truth that you were made in God’s image.
– Nadia Wulff is of the Life Church in Welkom
