Image Bearers
A couple of years ago I read a story that has taken on great metaphorical significance for me. The setting is Christmas Eve in Chicago in the 1920s, before the stock market crash. Two businessmen are rushing to catch the 6:00 PM commuter train for home. On the train platform a young handicapped boy is selling papers and other goods he can pick up and resell for a bargain at a small stand.
The first man emerges on the platform. He runs into the boy, knocking him and his stand over. Hurling a few choice curse words at the boy, the man continues on to catch his train.
A few seconds later the second man emerges on the platform. He sees the boy and his stand knocked down. He immediately helps the boy up and tries to gather up some of his goods.
The man reaches in his billfold and pulls out a five-dollar bill. He gives it to the boy, saying he hopes it will help cover part of the boy’s losses. Wishing the boy a “Merry Christmas,” he turns to catch his train. The boy yells after him, “Say, Mister, are you Jesus Christ?” Red-faced and embarrassed, the man answers, “No, but I try to be like Him”.
Both men are made in the image of God, but only one man is living in the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is not enough as a Christian to claim being made in our Creator’s image; we are called to be conformed to the likeness of Christ.
—Craig R. Dykstra,
Vision and Character
There’s a story in Greek mythology about a young man named Narcissus. He was a very handsome young man and he knew it. One day he saw his reflection in a stream, and he became enamored with the image of himself. He couldn’t pull himself away; he stared into the stream day and night. As the story goes, he became so trapped in his own ego that he eventually turned into the Narcissus flower, rooted at the water’s edge. As believers, we are God’s children. The world looks at us to see a reflection of God, and to see what God and his children are like. If we are caught up in ourselves—in narcissism—the watching world will see a marred image. It will see a body of Christ that is selfish, cares nothing for anyone else, and doesn’t believe its own teachings. The Bible challenges us, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). Let’s ask ourselves today, How can I best acknowledge, celebrate, and take satisfaction in what God is doing in, around and through me, in a way that honors God and reflects him to others? —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics