I’ll be posting for the next few weeks a short devotional that I’ve simply called In His Image. You can certainly read through this and be done in a matter of minutes or you can keep the journal and spend time each day through the week truly searching the scriptures and asking God to speak to you. Keep in mind you’ll get out what you put in.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

When we think of the beginning verses of the Bible we immediately think of all that God created, heaven, earth, trees, plants, animals, and humans, right?  The first words are literally in the beginning God created… so it makes sense that is where our minds go. Have you ever stopped to think about what it says about God though? If God created that means He is creative. If God is creative do you think it’s possible you are too?

Think about your mom and dad for a moment. You were created in their image, right? What did you take from them? Do you have your mom’s eyes? Your dad’s sense of humor? Now would be a great time to start using a journal. Take a few moments and write down the things you see in you that you got from your parents.

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:26-27

Just as you have characteristics of your parents, you have some from God. When you hear people say you are made in God’s image. What thoughts do you have? Does the idea seem a little too far fetched for you? I think for most people they would say it is. There is no way I’m created in God’s image. He is perfect and I’m so very far from it. Just as you are not a clone of your parents, you aren’t a clone of God either. You are made in His image not made His twin. Remember our goal is to become perfect like God and we should be striving to get there, but it’s a very real possibility that you and I aren’t there yet. Just keep striving daily though and we’ll get there. Now think about characteristics of God that you see in yourself and write them down as well. Our first thoughts are typically things like perfect, loving, patient, but try and think outside of the box. You already have one example above and that was creative. See what else you can come up with.

he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, Isaiah 53:2b

We’ll come back to some characteristics of God that we may see in ourselves later so keep them in mind. For now let’s talk about outward beauty. Did you write down that you were crazy attractive just like Jesus? One of the most beautiful beings ever created? If you did you missed the mark. Jesus wasn’t someone that the world would have put on the front of a magazine cover. Yet, people were drawn to Him anyway. Why is that? For some they wanted to see the miracles, others wanted the miracles in their lives. For some though, they saw something different in Him. What do people see in you? The beauty of Christ didn’t come from the outside, but the inside.

Think about what you find beautiful in a person. Is it tall, dark, and beautiful? Perhaps blonde hair and blue eyes? Red hair and green eyes? Maybe you like someone with muscles or does that make you gag? What is your idea of a dream guy or girl? Think about your friends and family. Do they all have the same thoughts as you? My guess is that’s a big fat no, because we each find different things attractive. Now let’s change gears slightly and instead of outward appearance let’s look at qualities or characteristics that you want in a husband. Do you want him to be abusive, argumentative, hateful, or big headed? Never in all of my years have I heard someone say that is what they wanted. Have you? Instead we want a husband that loves us like Christ loved the church, someone that is caring and kind. You will be hard pressed to find a female that doesn’t want that. What characteristics do men want in a wife? Are they looking for someone who is rude or with a bad attitude, perhaps they are looking for a liar? No, they don’t want that. They are looking for someone with better qualities than that!

When we talk about being made in God’s image, it isn’t in the outward appearance, but the inward. Sure, we can decide we don’t want to be like Him and become something else.  Regardless of what we decide the fact remains we were created to be beautiful from the inside out! Opinions of what is beautiful vary from person to person. Some guys like girls that are anorexic looking while others go to the other extreme and want a women that is 600 pounds. You will never be beautiful to the whole world based on your appearance. The whole world can think you are beautiful because of your inward beauty though. If you are overweight, underweight, have thin hair, oily skin, acne, a birthmark that drives you crazy, a missing limb, crocked teeth, or any other thing that you hate about yourself know this: not only does that not define you, it isn’t where your beauty comes from. Can you find scriptures about beauty in the Bible? Go find some and write them in your journal, then come back.

Did you have any trouble finding verses? That’s ok, you’ll get used to searching the scriptures. Did you happen to find any of these verses below?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15

but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:4

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Song of Solomon 4:7

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Pick one or two verses and write them in your journal and then take a few moments to write your thoughts on them. While the verses may not say, hey you, you’re beautiful. They do point to either what makes us beautiful or speak of us being created by God. Maybe I’m the only one, but I’m not crazy enough to look God in the eye and tell Him that what He made isn’t good enough. Are you? Did you ever think that each time you say how you aren’t pretty enough, smart enough, talented enough or any other enough you’re telling God how wrong He is. He made you and if you aren’t enough then there was a flaw with the Creator when He made you. Go ahead, color me crazy, but to me telling God He made a mistake seems like a bad idea.

Instead of telling God how wrong He is how about we change our perspective? We acknowledge that perhaps God isn’t the issue and the issue is our heart. I’m not saying you aren’t saved, instead I’m saying that we have a ways to go and we need to learn to trust God in ALL things. That includes what he says about us. To Him we are His beautiful creation. He wants nothing more than to spend eternity with us and while we are on earth, His desire is for us to simply bloom where we are planted. We’ll have a section devoted to that, but for now just know that when I put bloom where you are planted I don’t mean to just do well where you are in life.

This week spend time in the Word finding scriptures showing that you were created and exactly what God thinks of you. In your prayer time ask God to help you to see yourself as He sees you. Know that if you are sincere God will show you. That also means He’ll show you where you aren’t doing so well and He’ll expect you to work on changing. The good news is, He’ll be there each step of the way.