Image Bearers Part 1 of 4

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” 

--Genesis 1:26-27

Sometimes being human is the worst.  When we deal with aches and pains, with a stomach bug or with forgetfulness, we can feel very inadequate.  We use the phrase human error.  Is there really any other kind?  Sometimes a discontent with humanity can come not from glancing inward, but from the experiences we have with other humans.  Teachers deal with humans of varying size and reasonability all day long.  You experience their humanity in the B.O., the erratic behavior, and in the wet pants.  Yet each of these tiny, teenage, grouchy or hyperactive humans bears the image of God.

Humans are very different from God.  That kind of goes without saying.  He is so much more than our finite selves could ever hope to be.  We are however, set apart from the rest of creation because we are image bearers of God.  That means a part of Himself is IN us!  That’s something great about being human!  What an empowering thing to remember: you have qualities like those of God.  That alone should be able to put a little extra skip in your step.  Whenever you are feeling inadequate physically, mentally or emotionally, remember that you were made in such a way as to reflect the Creator of the Universe.  Hurrah (insert lion roar here).

What this also means is that not only you, but each human was created to bear God’s image.  That surly kid who sits in the back row of your third period class?  He bears God’s image.  Your neediest little peanut who needs nineteen trips to the nurse a day and can’t tie her own shoes?  She bears God’s image.  The I-definitely-just picked-my-nose-then-reached-into-the-communal-marker-bin-with-the-same-hand-kid?  Yup.  Image bearer.

So here’s a challenge for this week: How do your students bear God’s image?  Believe me, I need this challenge too (one of the above examples may be true-to-life)  This is about looking for the best in others.  Sometimes it may be hard to find...humans are the worst remember?  But thankfully God > humans and God’s likeness shows up in each of us in unique ways.  How might our Father reveal Himself to you through your students if you’re careful enough to look?