Feb

18

More on Imago Dei

February 18, 2007 |

I love God’s timing. Today our pastor added a couple of thoughts to expound on my post on the value of the imago dei. He said that because each person is created in the image of God, he or she has potential and value.

It’s wonderful when we can see each person in our group as having potential and value. Sometimes it’s easier to write them off, to think they’ll never make it. This seems to be especially true of people on disability, those with simple jobs, or those who have multiple problems. We look at their problems and feel overwhelmed. Since we don’t know how to solve their problems, it’s easy to think no one does.

That leaves God out of the equation. God doesn’t create anyone who is not in his image. Therefore, no one is junk. No one is beyond redemption. No one is a lost cause.

God says that each person is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14). God says there is no one for whom he hasn’t a plan and a future (Jer. 29:11). God says he loves each person with an everlasting love—one that doesn’t give up. (Jer. 31:3).

So, that leaves us as leaders with a challenge. Find the good, the potential, the imago dei, in each person. And watch God work!

“There are no ordinary people. 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…. Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses.” (CS Lewis in The Weight of Glory)


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