“Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came-and Scripture cannot be broken-then what about the One whom the father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God?” (John 10;34 – 36 BSB)
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness’…So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1: 26 – 27 abbreviated BSB)
“…I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18 BSB)
Who am I?
Why am I here?
Do I even matter?
At some point in our lives we all ask ourselve “identity”, or “image”, questions. People have been seeking the deeper meaning of life for as long as we have existed. We have developed philosophies, religions, cultures, and complete societies, around these questions. I know that I have been around the bend with these questions more than once in my life.
For me, I have found that my true identity, my “self image”, can only be found in the One who created me. By discovering the true identity (image) of my Creator (my Daddy) I begin to discover my own true identity (image). Since I am created in my Daddy’s image and likeness from His design, it only makes sense that His desire is for me to live fully in my design. So what does that look like?
I am a “little god.” What? If a Pharisee is reading this he will immediately tear his garment and cry out,”Blasphemy! Hang him!” Yet, that is exactly what my Daddy has communicated through the Scriptures. He breathed a part of Himself into a body in my mother’s womb and my parents named me Eric. Just like Adam, I am a “living soul” created directly by the Infinite Being that created everything that exists. As in every other aspect of life on this planet, the Creator has partnered with His creation. I have my earthly parents DNA in my physical body and my Heavenly Father’s DNA in my spirit. And I have a soul (mind) connecting my body (earthsuit) with my spirit (the physical realm to the spiritual realm).
When I look in the mirror I see my outer person (my body). I may, or may not, like what I see. What I need to realize is that what I see in the mirror is not my true image. I live inside this body (my “earthsuit”), and depending on its current condition it may or may not be a good representation of the “real” me. Eventually, how I see myself on the inside will have an impact on what is seen on the outside. If I see myself as a fat, old man, then that is what I will be. If I see myself as an eternal being created in the image and likeness of my Heavenly Abba Father (Daddy), then that will transform the way I think and act, which in turn will change the condition of my body. The choice is mine.
Daddy revealed my true image to me about 5 years ago. At that point I had one foot in the grave as my image of myself had become so negatively distorted that I had become deeply depressed, morbidly obese, and if it had not been for the love I had for my family I probably would not be here today to write this. Today, my mind (soul) has been renewed by way of my spirit (the real me) in partnership with my Daddy’s Spirit, to such a degree that I honestly have almost no consciousness of sickness, aging, or death. My mind and body try to remind me of these things from time to time, but most moments are completely consumed with Joy (strength), Youth-Fullness (stamina), and Peace (stability). I am 62 years young, and unless I look in a mirror, and do not look past what I see with my physical eyes, I see myself as eternally 32 years of age in the original condition that was the design and desire of my Daddy when He formed me in my mother’s womb. By the way, my body is starting to catch up. I am no longer in need of medication for high blood pressure, cholestrol, or depression. I have gained healthy muscle mass, and lost over 100 pounds of unwanted fat (Thank You Daddy!).
How I see myself colors every aspect of my life.
How I see myself colors how I see others.
How I see myself colors how others see me.
Everyone desires to be seen. It starts with seeing myself. I know that my Daddy sees me, and he likes what He sees. I can imagine Him looking straight through what is on the outside, seeing the “real” me on the inside, and saying…
…”Wow, I sure did an awesome job when I created you Eric. You are wonderful, and I respect and love you more than you will ever comprehend. I think you just might be the best one yet (but don’t let it go to your head ’cause I love your brothers and sisters just as much as I love you).”
Can you imagine Him saying that to you today? Can you receive it?
Enough said about…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 191: “Can You See Me Now?” (Peering through the Looking Glass of “Image”) Part 5 “Image of Me”