So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Isn’t it amazing how babies can come into this world looking like their parents or grand-parents from the day they are born? My niece recently had a happy little baby boy. (Sawyer) This little bundle of smiles looks exactly like his grand-mother (my sister) did at that age. The resemblance is uncanny. It makes me smile every time I see him. It is like seeing a reflection of my sister as a baby years after the fact. While you may be familiar with the old saying, “opposites attract,” in reality, what the heart wants is someone who resembles its owner – and that resemblance increases the longer two lovebirds stay together. Couples start looking alike. University of Michigan psychologist Robert Zajonc conducted an experiment to test this phenomenon. He analyzed photographs of couples taken when they were newlyweds and photographs of the same couples taken 25 years later. The results showed that the couples had grown to look more like each other over time. And, the happier that the couple said they were, the more likely they were to have increased in their physical similarity. God made humans in his image so that the world would be filled with reflectors of God. Images of God. Seven billion statues of God. So that nobody would miss the point of creation. When I am sculpting I often come to the point when things progressively slow down in the process. I get stumped. There is a problem. The piece will bear a likeness to the model (as it should) but something is still wrong. Years ago one of my artist friends gave me a tip. Take a mirror and place it next to the sculptured piece (or painting). Start looking only at the mirror as you perfect the image. Suddenly, as if magic, you will see the similarities and the differences appear that need to be improved. It works every time. Nobody (unless they were stone blind) could miss the point of humanity, namely, God — knowing, loving, showing God. The angels cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3) It’s full of billions of human image bearers. Glorious ruins. But not only humans. Also nature! Why such a breathtaking world for us to live in? Why such a vast universe? I once read that there are more stars in the universe than there are words and sounds that all humans of all time have ever spoken. Why? The Bible is crystal clear about this: “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psa 19:1). I often hear the question about the exclusivity of creation. Someone will ask, “If earth is the only inhabited planet and man the only rational inhabitant among the stars, why is there such a large and empty universe?" The answer is found in the opening line of Rick Warren’s famous book, The Purpose Driven Life: It’s not about you. It’s about God. And that, my friend, is an understatement. God created us to know him and love him and show him. And then he gave us a hint of what he is like — the universe. Though twisted and fallen it is a reflection of the perfection that is who our Heavenly Father is. Can people recognize Your father in you? Do they see His image? Thank you for reading my thoughts today. I appreciate your comments and suggestions. If you would like to click the “Share” button I would invite you to do so.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 22:50:05 +0000
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