The Christian story begins with an understanding that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God. After years of trying to figure out exactly what ‘image and likeness’ means I have come to what I believe is some level of clarity.
Humans were made to live here on earth as if God were living through them…to be God’s imagers.
But then we went ahead and messed it all up.
And while humanity kept trying to do justice and love mercy they did not want to walk humbly with God. We would rather do it our way.
Yet God did not give up on human imagers.
In fact, through Jesus, God took on human form, the full image of God. Through repentance of doing it “our way” and belief in His death and resurrection, Jesus invites all to become part of a new humanity (born again) to live as if God were living through us. This was God’s plan from the beginning…that each of us would live NOW in such a way that heaven would come to earth. The way into that life is NOT, however, about human effort, but instead about submitting your life to Jesus.
And when you do…your life and the life of your neighbors will never be the same again.
A favorite passage of mine comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:8. It says, “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
It is important to share the message of hope found in Jesus (the gospel) but our world will really start to change when we ALSO start sharing our lives as well. This is what Jesus did! He moved into a neighborhood, walked with people, and embodied heaven in his being.
So if you’re tracking with me I want to encourage you to reframe how you envision your life. It’s not about you – about your comfort, about your cares, about your fears. No, God brings new life TO you so that God can share new life THROUGH you. So, your home is THE place from which God can change the world?
Why?
Because you, His image-bearer is there. When you offer your whole life in service to God, he uses you to shine the light of Christ on others.
I read a recent story of a Godly woman who moved with her husband to a new town for his work. One of the difficult parts of the move was that in order to live within their budget, they had to share one car. Her husband’s work necessitated that he have the car during the work day, so unless her husband was out of town or it was after dinner, she had to walk everywhere. This discomfort was one of the many reasons why the move was difficult.
Instead of seeing her situation as a curse or a burden, as an ‘Imager’, she began walking her neighborhood during the day in order to get to know everyone. Being a great cinnamon roll baker, she began taking some to each house that she walked by. As she delivered some rolls to a neighbor who was a new mom, she noticed that the new mom was barely holding it all together. The new mom confessed that her life was a mess and did not know what to do.
After prayer, this woman decided to visit the new mom each week. She taught her how to cook, gave her parenting tips, suggested a schedule to structure her day, and she ultimately introduced the new mom to Jesus. This all happened because a woman whose life was not what she would have preferred, saw her life as a life on mission for God. She embodied a presence-centered life. No excuses. Just a paradigm shift: where you are is the place God wants you to be in mission. In Perrysburg as it is in heaven.
