Playback speed
Genesis 1:27
I can happily sit people watching for ages. It fascinates me that we are all so incredibly different from one another. In size, shape, colour, height, age and ability, we are all absolutely unique. However, we have one thing in common – we are all made in the image of God.
This is a very interesting way of describing human beings, and not least because the second commandment tells us that we should never create an image of God. That’s understandable because if you make an inanimate image of God, there is every possibility that you will focus your worship on the image and forget about God himself. And yet God has made you and me as images of himself. Isn’t that amazing? What we learn from this is that we resemble God. In our creativity, our loving, our kindness, our need to communicate, and in many other ways, we reflect the nature of God.
I have found these insights particularly powerful and precious in the last few years as I have spent a great deal of time with people with disabilities. Some, with learning disabilities, have never been able to speak. Some visually impaired people have never seen anything. I treasure the fact that, different as our lives clearly are, we are all made in the image of God. That is more important than anything else.
Our society showers us with images of beautiful, young able-bodied people. We should praise God for the fact that they are made in the image of God. When we see a tiny fragile baby, born prematurely and supported by a ventilator, an elderly person with dementia or a person with multiple disabilities, we should praise God for them as well, for they, too, are made in his image.
Question
What do you see of God in the people around you?
Prayer
Thank you, Creator God, that we have all been made in your image and reflect your likeness. Help me to treasure every single person. Amen
Released on 3 Jan 2024
Genesis 2:2-3 The French revolution turned everything upside down, including the arrangement of time. They used decimalisation in a thoroughgoing way, dividing each day into ten hours and each week into ten days. But it didn’t catch on. After onl...
Genesis 3:11-12 This account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden has a very contemporary ring to it. Blaming others is as much a way of life in today’s world as it was for Adam long ago. He knew he had done wrong in eating the forbidden fruit,...
Genesis 4:8-9 This is the world’s first murder. Isn’t it terrible that, so early in the Bible, we have to confront such an appalling evil? If you have ever known a family that has experienced a murder, you will know the awful impact that it has –...
You’re almost there! To access this content
A world of great Christian audio is just around the corner
We are SO excited to announce the return of Premier Christmas radio for a second year running! It's finally time to get festive with our pop-up Christmas radio station. Allow us to fill your days with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this winter with our carefully crafted Christmas radio. Listen Now