It’s the kind of photo that compels even tough guys to use words like adorable and precious. And many women? They’ll say “Awwwww” in one long, heartrending syllable while clutching at their hearts and contorting their faces into maudlin expressions.
Okay, okay, the image is sweet. We get it. But what is it?
It’s a toddler—a perfectly earnest, beautiful little girl with hypnotically piercing eyes, soft wispy hair, and velvety cheeks that demand kisses from doting relatives. In the picture she’s with her auntie, and the two are peering intently at something—a camera. They’re enjoying each other and taking a selfie!
The pic, however, reveals something deeper—two people made in God’s image. We see a workmanship that David labeled “marvelous” (Psalm 139:14).
Now, the woman in the photo isn’t worshiping her own looks; she’s delighted with her gorgeous little niece. As for the girl, it’s good and natural for her to want to see her own image. She’s learning about herself, after all, and she’s made in the likeness of her Father-God.
We can only imagine the Creator as He set about to fill the world with living creatures. The amazing variety of wildlife compels our worship of the One who conceived it all and brought it into being. And the Creator called it all good. But the crowning achievement of creation is us! “God created human beings in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). It was only then that God called it “very good!” (Genesis 1:31).
God’s wonderful creation is now broken, including us, but reflections of what has been and what will be continue to shine through. As we gaze on His good works, He gives us hope to press on and to marvel amid the mess.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Colossians 3:1-17
More:
Read Psalm 139:13-18 for a reminder of what God thinks of us.
Next:
What does it mean to you to be made in the image of God? How might this knowledge change the way you treat others?
nnedi on December 6, 2015 at 5:43 am
Is there anyway you can put some sort of audio like mp3 as you’ve got on Our Daily Bread? Sometimes I prefer the audio and this is due to my depression it helps.
Gary Shultz on December 6, 2015 at 6:25 am
All the be’s, can be, should be, would be, might be, the best – will be, which brings the word of the day you included, hope. It’s all wrapped up in hope and promise. And yes we do see fragments of a very good world, yet we know it is laced with the curse of our heritage. God has pushed the bar higher when it comes to hope. We will be in the best column by merit of Jesus to be heavenly family, we will become heaven’s royalty with our king. How can we even imagine this gift of adoption? Only God could bring this from hope, from that brokenness. Thanks, Christmas keeps giving, enjoy.