Tag: Image of God

Seeing God in the People Around You

The Bible sometimes is so radical that it’s hard to believe. I mean the very first few chapters of the Bible reveal some truth’s that are so amazing they are hard to believe. Today I want to draw your attention to one verse that changes how I see everyday people around me.

Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.’” Humanity is somehow made in the image of God. Each person, because they are a person, has somehow a part of the very image of God. I know that in some situations, with some people, and with so much of the brokenness around us, that it is hard to see sometimes. But this is the radical truth of the Bible, that each person is made in God’s image. Sometimes we choose not to demonstrate, reveal, or act in accordance with that image but that doesn’t change the truth. We are all made in God’s image.

This changes how I see people, because I have to be open to seeing God’s image in them. So when I am struggling to see God in a person, a situation, or a circumstance; when my anger, hurt, or pain rises and I have that temptation to reject, exclude, or simply ignore someone, you know what I try to do now?  I try to look harder.

I look harder, I look deeper, and I look longer. Yes, it is hard and sometimes with some people I really struggle to see the image of God in their life, actions, and words. But the point isn’t whether I struggle to see it. The point is whether or not the Bible is true. And if the Bible is true, like I believe, then I have to believe that each person that walks by me is made in the image of God. Each time I make eye contact with someone the image of God is in that person. And this should change how we see each and every person around us. This means that we need to treat everyone with respect, dignity, and worth, but it goes much beyond that. It means if we look hard enough each person might just reveal a bit of the image of God to us. And that is worth finding…

So the next time you are tempted to reject someone, exclude them, or simply ignore someone who is different…remember we are all made in the image of God…and maybe it’d be worth taking a second look their way…

by Andrew Mills

My Top 10 Lessons I’ve Learned…Part 1

Here are my top ten lessons I’ve learned this year. To hear the expanded explanation download my sermon from Sunday here.

Here are a few of the first fun ones, and the list gets more serious as it goes.

Lesson #10: God Loves Top 10 Lists

This is pretty self-explanatory. Just go check out the original top ten list…the 10 Commandments. Looks like God invented it, not David Letterman.

Lesson #9: Laughter is Good For the Soul

Proverbs talks about how laughter feeds the soul. This is true, so go and watch something funny. Get together with friends and laugh. You’ll feel better. And now you know that laughter is a spiritual thing, and a Godly thing.

Lesson #8: God Loves Coffee

Now this is hard to prove biblically because the Bible really never mentions coffee. But I think if you’ll notice how many great God conversations happen over coffee you’ll need to agree that God must love it then. I’m pretty sure the logic is infallible, much like God.

Lesson #7: We can Find God in Creation

This year I learned how close you can feel to God when you recognize him in creation. Whether that’s being in awe of mountains, feeling the tranquility of a quiet lake, or the beauty of a sunset we can see God revealed in creation. This year more than most I’ve found myself feeling close to him simply in awe of his handiwork.

Lesson #6: We can Find God in Others

Since we’re all made in the image of God we have the potential to reveal God. This is really what my posts entitled “Where I Saw Jesus This Week…” are about. They’re about finding God in the everyday, and that’s become clear to me this year. God is not distant but waiting to be discovered in our midst.

Tomorrow I’ll post the next 3. But for now – which lessons resonate with you?

Which ones has God taught you as well this year?

by Andrew Mills

Where I Saw Jesus This Week…

I’m not great with grammar. I write to quickly, and I write like I talk. With odd sentences, spaces, and pauses.

But there is one person in my office who helps me with this. She has a great red pen that she uses to mark up all that I write and create. She makes sure my ideas come out clearly.

This post is about her, because this week I saw Jesus in her. Genesis 2 says that we are made in God’s image which means we each have the potential to reveal God to others. This week she did that for me. She was so caring noticing and coming up with ways to care for people. She was very giving of her time. And even though we are both kind of quite, she often makes me laugh and smile. This reminds me of Jesus, and it should.

Jesus notices people. Jesus cares for people. Jesus gives, and often being with Jesus leaves us smiling and laughing.

So my friend and co-worker reflects Jesus to me in a natural and easy way. What about you?

Who in your life consistenly reminds you of Jesus? Who helps you to see and find Jesus? Think of someone and then let them know. Let them know that you see God in them. So Florence this post is for you!

But who in your life reminds you of Jesus?

Share with us here, but more importantly share that with them…today…

P.S. Please also excuse all grammar and spelling mistakes. I had to do this post on my own as a little surprise!

by Andrew Mills

Hope, Humanity, and Haircuts

Some people are simply put, beautiful people. They are warm, caring, funny, quirky, insightful, and when you are around them you smile. It’s as if something about them seems alive, and gives you life too. Or better put some people pull good things out of you: good stories, good conversations, good connections, and a good time.

My hairdresser is one of these people. She is awesome. Not only can she cut hair, which she does amazingly, but the whole time is fun. I feel better for having seen her and talked with her. For most appointments I have whether its the bank, dentist, or optometrist I have a sense of apprehension. I don’t like going, I delay it and put it off. She’s different, and I actually like getting my hair cut.

The bible says that we’re all made in God’s image. That humanity has been marked by God, and that everyone has the chance to reveal God. Some people do this through their everyday simple interactions, in how they laugh, care, and smile. I see this a lot in my hairdresser, and its easy to see.

The question is do people see God in you?

Are you someone who gives life to others, who through grace pulls good things out of them, who makes people feel better for having known and connected with you? Do you reveal the God who is about love, life, and grace to others? And maybe it’s not hard to do if we’re just intentional. We’re already made in his image, we just need to decide to reveal it.

So today reveal God’s image, and person by how you act. Show grace, love, and life to others.

And maybe go get your hair cut…

by Andrew Mills