Imago Dei

I've been doing a lot of reading lately for Seminary.  It's really cool, but because of the shear amount of it, I don't always process it right away.  This happened the other day.  I read a part from Renovation of The Heart by Dallas Willard.  In it, Willard quotes C.S. Lewis who is talking about the fact that there are "no ordinary people."  Lewis says, "You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors."  What Lewis is getting at here is the fact that we are made in the image of God and have been granted an immortal soul that is capable of changing the shape of the world.  We are beings that reflect God's creativity and He considers us the crown of His creation.  When God looks at us, He sees the vast potential that each of us possess. Each of us is unique and has different strengths and weaknesses.  The person that you saw along the street the other day was  made in the image of God.  The coworker that annoys you every day at work was made in the image of God.  The homeless person that you pass by on your way home from work was made in the image of God.  Every person you come in contact with, whether currently capable of capturing your awe or not, was made in the image of God.

I've heard the statements before, that everyone is unique and if we could only look at others through God's eyes then we would see how truly special they are.  It's never quite hit home with me until now.  This idea of the immortal soul of a person and the fact that each person is made in God's image struck me the other day while I was driving.  What if we started looking at people as God's image-bearers rather than simply some random stranger?  I looked around at the other drivers and got a sense that God loved them.  That he looked at them and said you bear my image and I desire to have a relationship with you.  It gave me a new perspective on people.  Those people that drive you crazy or those people you pass by on the street.  Each of them bears the image of God.  Christ says, "whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me."  This continues to point towards the fact that God has stamped His image on us.  Just imagine if everyone began to have a higher view of people.  If we began to look at each other not as some person to be used or tolerate, but instead as a person who is to be inspired to greatness.  The term "Imago dei" means image of God.  It is used in description of us.  We are image bearers for the sovereign God of the universe.  Our potential to shape the world and radically alter our surroundings is unrivaled throughout the rest of creation.  We are the pinnacle of God's glorious handiwork.  Through the chaos and worries of life, we have somehow lost this high view of humans.  We have condemned ourselves and labeled ourselves as sinners and unworthy of God's love.  While it is true that we were once slaves to sin, it is equally true that God has made us uniquely for His purposes.

Brandon Heath has a song that asks the question, "If it takes just one, what if I'm the one?"  When you look around at your work, when you're at the store, when you're driving around town, look at people.  Each of them has the potential for amazing good all they need is to be inspired.  All they need is sense of hope and encouragement.  There have been many studies that have shown that the act of one person can radically alter someone's behavior.  Just one person.  If we are to change the world, it first begins by acknowledging that those around us are no mere mortals, but rather are crafted in the image of God.  If it takes just one to change the world, what if you're the one?