It’s rather fascinating to ponder Genesis 1:27: “God created man in his image, in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.”
Many artists have rolled with that statement, painting God the Father as a glorified human person. Eyes, nose, hair, hands and feet — we all perhaps have gone through stages where our thoughts of God mirror the people around us.
But perhaps we might put aside the physical image and ponder if much of that “in his image” refers in at least some part to the qualities of God’s heart.
In greater or lesser ways, we don’t always use our inborn qualities, talents and inclinations for good, but all of them can be used well and reflect something of the Father’s being.
For example, many reflect our Father’s gift to the world and to His angelic hosts of music. Choirs of angels and of humans have lifted audiences’ hearts toward heaven. Music can lighten the burden of a task, bring joy to the melancholy and get little kids (and adults) dancing their cares away at least for a while. This healing gift has “God” written all over it.
Those with gentle hearts reflect some of God’s own heart and His care for creation. These are His people who delight in babies of all kinds, from their own little ones to a wiggly pile of puppies, a nest of hungry chickadees, playful kittens, calves and colts. Even the homeliest adult humans and creatures bring forth offspring that manage to be cute to those with gentle hearts.
Gardeners and farmers are right there with God as He brings forth various plants for food and/or beauty with the help of their labor. God Himself surely must have a “green thumb,” and that talent can be found in these folks.
A part of the heart of the One who created all things is evident in men and women who themselves create things of beauty and usefulness. That includes “official” artists
and students who are drawing, painting, sewing, crocheting and knitting, making stained glass windows or freeform sculptures. Some people are a whiz at creating gorgeous and amazing food. Still others design and build bridges and buildings, cars and furniture, wallpaper and clothing. They all embody the creative heart of God.
Surely we realize that everything in the universe has the order and features of mathematics in its design. It is perhaps most easily seen in the symmetry of many things and the logic of natural law. Math gets rockets to the moon, food on the table, houses (and telescopes and washing machines, etc.) built. The heart of God delights in the mathematically inclined.
Then there are the caregivers, professional health workers and those who care for family members of all ages. God is love, and those who do their best in caring for others are people after His own great heart. God is the ultimate servant, seen in each person who puts him/herself aside on behalf of another.
Workers of many stripes can embody the Lord in their work, recalling God’s labor when He made the earth.
Turning our thoughts upward, we notice that God enjoys making parts of the cosmos go “bang!” and “boom!” and whirl along in all sorts of cosmic ways. Those who explore volcanoes or design ways to hurl pumpkins toward a target after Halloween steer their fascination with such things constructively and reflect that unique part of God’s laughing heart.
God is the ultimate teacher. Those of that honorable profession hopefully share the good truths of the world and of Him with their students, in word and action.
Some people are born with or develop severe disabilities. If we have faith-centered vision, we can especially see God’s Son in them — a most direct image and likeness of God the Father.
Of course, priests serving in persona Christi, deacons who devote themselves as disciples of Christ, and religious men and women who strive to be the hands and feet, heart and body of Jesus truly embody “in His image” in their lives.
“God is love,” the Bible explains. Any of
us, of any age, profession and ability, embody our Father in heaven whenever we give love
to others.
Then indeed, we are most fully showing that we are made in the image and likeness of God.
