Imago Dei

Ever feel not good enough? Ever feel like everyone you walk by is secretly judging you and your appearance? Ever feel like God didn't put as much time and care into making you as He did other "better looking" or "more talented" people? I know I have. I'm pretty sure we're all guilty. It's not been til just recently (the past 6 months) that I have felt completely confident in my appearance without any makeup or hairspray. I'm somewhat ashamed to say that it has taken me almost 20 years to be able to look at myself in the mirror and not criticize and pick apart my image. This breaks God's heart. In Genesis 1:27 it says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." The translation of "the image of God" in Greek is Imago Dei. This beautiful phrase reminds me that I am not a creation to be criticized, looked down on, or dismissed as unimportant. I am a creation to be proud of, loved, and one that is priceless. The Psalmist so perfectly writes in Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Who are we to try and tell God that His creation is not good enough! We are fearfully and wonderfully made! How cool is that?! With God's own hands he knit us together in our mother's womb. Wow. Did you know that nothing else in all of creation is made Imago Dei? Not the beautiful sunsets, huge ocean, or countless trees. Nothing else is made in the image of God. That is a humbling thought to me. Then I think about Christ. Christ did not die for a bunch of nobodies. He died for precious, priceless somebodies. You being one of them. He knows our inmost being better than we know ourselves and he still loves us. God is the only one who can tell me who I am, what I am, whose I am, and what I'm worth. NO ONE ELSE. ...not even me... I know it's easier said than done...but I would encourage you to start changing your attitude about yourself if its not the right attitude for someone who has been created Imago Dei. That doesn't mean be arrogant, it just means take pride in the fact that you are God's perfect creation who he loves unconditionally. Don't criticize God's artwork. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.