His Insignia

To whom it may concern (that's you and everyone else),

I have something very important to tell you. This thing I have to tell you will blow your mind. Are you ready?



You are made in the image of God.



Whoa.

That was intense (and cliche), right? 

Hang on. Before you gloss over this, let me explain. I/you/we are made in the image of God. But this image is not strictly a physical imag. No, this image that we are made in is an all encompassing reflection of an all encompassing Creator. Our mind, body, heart, and soul have been finely and individually crafted in the shadow of the Most High. 

What does this mean?

You know that part of your personality that you really kind of despise, but don't really admit to anyone? The one that is not really bad in anyway, but is just a part of you that is a little too much. (Like getting really, really, really  excited about little things: getting Starbucks, wearing my favorite shirt, eating a perfectly yellow banana, etc., etc. you get the point). Created in the image of God.

How about that part of your body that you think could probably be left out? Say it is the size of your nose, the frizz of your hair, the immense magnitude of your head (yeah, that one is mine), or the lack of a thigh gap? Made in the image of God. 

How about the things about yourself that are good, both innate and learned? Your spiritual gifts, your talents, the things that pull on your heartstrings, your passions, your interests, and your quirks? Made in the image of God. 

You should be getting the picture by now. Every part of who you are has been made in and the image of God. The mercy, patience, strength, generosity, or faith you have been gifted with are all parts of God shining from you. His insignia has been printed on you in special and unique ways unlike any other person on the planet. 

What about weaknesses? The things that really are bad? 

Well what about the weakness? Do you think your failures are beyond God? Do you think the areas of your life you lack in are outside the realm of holiness? These have been made for the image of God. 

We have been given specific weakness that were placed in our lives for reasons we may never know. These weaknesses are not necessarily reflections of Christ, but they lead us to see His reflection better. My weakness of being needy, egotistical, judgmental, and obsessive (all of which are true) are ways in which I better reflect Christ. That Bible verse that just popped into your head totally applies here: "'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me...for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 

Do you see it now? Can you understand how the phrase "made in the image of God" is so much greater than we have ever known? IT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. 

Stretch this beyond yourself. Look at the people around you and see the parts of their personalities they have been given. See the raw talents, the excellent passions, the range of interests, the specific gifts, and the natural beauty of your friends. You can see God's insignia on everyone, for all are made in His image. My roommate's mercy--God. One of my best ginger friend's wisdom--God. One of my best guy friend's competitiveness--God. My sister's wit--God. My mentor's understanding of literature--God. 

Christ is all around us and within all of us. I wish I could take you by the shoulders and shake you until you understood the sheer magnitude of what this means! God is here with us in the smallest, most innocent of ways and it is beautiful. 

Let this rest on your heart. Let it change the way you look at others. Let it glorify Christ in you. 

Merry Christmas my friends. 

God bless.
Carissa