MADE IN HIS IMAGE

I was going through old journals and came across something that I wrote over 4 years ago.  Although time has changed and I have grown, God’s Word does not change.  It blesses me every day and I hope this message, based on His Word, blesses you.

Genesis 1:27 tells us that God made us in His image. The Message version says that "God created human beings; He created them godlike, reflecting God's nature". I have read that scripture many times and for some reason it never made sense. I reflect God's nature? How is that possible?

It's amazing how we can go through different situations in our lives over and over again and still not get the lesson that God is trying to teach us. If we were made in His image, why do we measure ourselves against what the world tells us? I went to a wedding today and witnessed two young people professing their love to the world. It was beautiful. One of the groomsman was walking around and approached me and said, "Hello, ma'am. Are you enjoying yourself?" Did he just call me "ma'am"? I chuckled and replied lightheartedly, "I'm having a nice time but you don't have to ma'am me". He said apologetically, "I'm sorry. I keep forgetting when single women come to events like this, they start feeling sad. They pretend like they are in their 20s but they are really in their 60s."

FIFTY? Instantly, the negative thoughts started to run through my head: It must be written all over my face that I am single. That groomsman doesn't even know me but he knew I was single. I must look horrible! I am far from 50! I must look like a pathetic woman that he would come up and see if I am doing ok.... On and on and on. This is where the Lord reminded me of 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (ESV). All of the silly thoughts running through my mind were not from God or of God. If I am made in His image, I am made to be strong, virtuous, righteous, and beautiful. My age doesn't matter, my looks, don't matter, my marital status doesn't matter. All that matters is who I am in HIM and my reflection in the spiritual mirror.

The Lord speaks to us in Songs of Solomon 4:7, "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." (ESV) For some reason though, we are so quick to pick out the flaws according to what the world tells us. If I am to glorify my Lord as I was made to do, I am going to stand on His Word and have the confidence of someone that is a reflection of God's nature. I can't be distracted by idle thoughts that don't fall in line with what my God tells me. I have to keep my eyes on Him and who He has called me to be, not what society says I should be.

So, to that groomsman that assumed I was an older woman and sad to be single at a wedding: I pray that the stereotypes that you have engraved in your mind will be covered with the Word of God. I pray that you come to realize that not every person is who the world says they are. And I pray that you come to know that you too are made in God's image and that the people that cross your path will see God's reflection in you.

Mending Maria

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