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| ©2018 Bethany Shoemaker |
“You’re the spitting image of your mother,” my mom’s friend
stated.
“You all are related, aren’t you,’ the waiter at the restaurant
noted. “You look alike.”
“Is this Pam or Lisa?” my aunt asked when I called her. “You
sound the same on the phone.”
“Wow! I can tell you and Lisa are sisters,” a lady at the
Senior Center remarked.
For years I have been told I look like my mother. And it is
obvious that my youngest sister and I share similarities in our facial
features, our body build, our voices, our mannerisms.
Recently at SacredSpace.ie I read, “I am created in the
image and likeness of God.” The basis for those words is found in Genesis
1:26-27: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image, in our likeness. . .
So, God created humans in his image. In the image of God, he created them.’”
Biblical scholar D. J. A. Clines, in his article "The
Image of God in Man", says that we are created to be a "copy" or
a "graphic image" of the Creator, a visible and understandable
representation of who God is and what He is really like.
That is kind of a scary thought—full of hidden meanings and
evoking great responsibility. I know what it means to be the image, likeness,
or copy of my sister and mom, but what does it mean for me to be the likeness
and image of God that others see?
Scripture gives us a long list of characteristics of God:
Exodus 34:6 God is compassionate
and faithful.
Psalm 46:1 God is always ready to
help.
Psalm 116:5 God is merciful and
good.
Psalm 193:8 God is not easily
angered.
Joel 2:13 God is patient and
forgiving.
John 3:33 God is truthful.
Romans 2:4 God is kind.
Romans 11:33 God is wise and
knowledgeable.
1 Corinthians 1:9 God is
trustworthy.
1 Peter 1:15 God is holy.
1 Peter 5:7 God is caring.
1 John 4:8 God is love.
These are just a few of the many Scriptures that give us a
glimpse of God—and, according to Genesis 1:27, of who God created us to be. Through His transforming power,
we can become the “spittin' image” of Jesus
Be encouraged!
Pam
©2018 Pamela D. Williams
