In the image

‘‘So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’ (Genesis 1:27 New Living Translation)

This is a verse many of us know so well that sometimes we forget to stop in awe at its power, beauty and meaning. We are made in the image of the very same God who flung stars into space, brings meaning from chaos and calls destiny into humanity.

Pause, and breathe it in. The image of our Lord is woven deeply into the fabric of humanity.

Wrapped up in this short verse is the calling to our identity as image-bearers of the King. And the calling to actively look for the image of our King in others.

This is a world-changing truth. How different things would be if we saw past the headlines into the image of God? The climate crisis, modern-day slavery, fast fashion… I dare to believe that if we, humanity, truly lived out this verse – poverty would be over. Injustice would have no place in our world.

So today, let’s proactively look and find the image of God in ourselves and others.

Creator God, we pause in awe. Thank you that we are woven in your image. Help us Lord to see this in ourselves, and in others, every day. Might we live differently in light of this truth. Amen.

Dot Tyler
Dot leads Tearfund’s work with young people across the UK.

Meeting my maker

‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.’ (Psalm 139:13-14)

In a world where we can add filters to our photos, share curated, highlight reels of our lives, and present the best version of ourselves to others, this verse reminds me that I cannot hide from our omnipresent Creator. To be honest, that can sometimes be a frightening and uncomfortable thought.

But this verse also delivers a freeing truth: God knows every corner of our hearts and being – even the dark depths we want to keep hidden in shame. He knows us intimately and yet still fully delights in me, and in you!

Since we were so carefully and intentionally created, we each have a valuable role to play, flaws and all, in advancing his kingdom. This encourages me in my day-to-day work here in the Middle East, knowing that every task – whether big or small, seen or unseen, or seemingly insignificant – ultimately contributes to a much bigger purpose, which you are also part of.

Loving God, thank you for this wonderful truth. Help me to invest my whole being in it, so that everything I do will flow from it. Amen.

Jade Beakhouse
Jade works in our Eurasia and North Africa Team and is based in the Middle East.

Fire

‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ (Romans 12:2)

The first day of Lent is known in many traditions as Ash Wednesday. Ash is the aftermath of fire – the remnant of a burning away.

Part of the spiritual journey is learning to let go; it is to subtract whatever the world has put upon us to make more room for God’s abundance. So, to begin Lent, let us reflect upon some of the things it might be time to burn away from our lives:

• Negative beliefs about ourselves. For example, ‘I’m not enough’. You are more than enough for Christ.
• Bitterness and unforgiveness. The only person it’s hurting is you.
• Whatever the ‘thing’ is that you’re waiting for to complete you. ‘If only I had that job/that house/that person etc.’ It won’t complete you; you are already complete.
• Material possessions. These can be anchors that weigh us down. It is liberating when we realise that all things belong to God.
• Self-centredness. There is a desperate need for society to move from ‘me’ to ‘we’; from ‘I’ to ‘all of us’.

Write down a list of some of the things that you want to subtract from your life this Lent. Commit your list to God.

Gideon Heugh
Gideon writes for Tearfund and is a poet and environmentalist.