February 18, 2010

Reflecting the Image of God

Posted in Uncategorized at 2:48 pm by Beth

As people of faith, we give lip service to the idea that we are created in the image of God. Since the Church worldwide is so diverse, I’ve been thinking a lot recently about what that could really mean. It can’t be about our sex, the color of our skin, texture of our hair, language we speak, what we wear, or even some of our cultural values. There has to be something bigger, something that we all share.

I feel that I caught a glimpse of it in the first few days following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. What was common for all of us was concern. The almost overwhelming sorrow as we helplessly watched the suffering of people we’d never met. Many gave what we had in terms of money or volunteer time. And I think everyone I know would have gone in person if the logistics could be worked out. Everyone cared.

It occurs to me that maybe THAT is what it means to reflect the image of God. The common element of humanity, the link that connects us, the spark of the divine in each of us mortals could be the automatic response of compassion. When we see suffering, our hands extend automatically. We don’t even have to think about it. OF COURSE we will help. We’ll go, in person, to meet the need. It doesn’t matter what the person looks like, or sounds like. When confronted with obvious suffering, we seek to relieve it.

I think these are the moments when we are reflecting the image of God. Whether we are Christian, atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or any of the other hundred expressions of faith in the world. When we reach out in compassion, we demonstrate a common bond and reflect the essential nature of the divine force from which we all draw life. Whatever name you call It, it’s there in each of us.

Permalink