In God’s Image

　　By Cindi McMenamin

　　Bible Reading:

　　“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).

　　Have you noticed the trend? We often refer to ourselves—and our daily activities—in electronic terms as if we were devices.

　　In our culture, as well as across the world, many people use Google as a verb and often feel more comfortable with their electronic devices than with one another. I can’t help but think it makes us feel more alone than ever—like objects rather than people, and digital code rather than designed creation.

　　Think about it. How often have you been encouraged to plug into a church and to unplugfrom your busyness? After a conference or webinar, do you find yourself saying you need to defragfrom information overload? And when you’re high on adrenaline, you might consider yourselfwhen you’re burnt out, you might say you’ve run down the battery.When you and I need to rest, we say we mustrecharge.

　　And our interpersonal relationships are often mostlyinternet relationships. FaceTime used to mean what it sounds like, and it didn’t involve a phone, tablet, or laptop screen.Social used to mean talking or being with one another, not scrolling on a device.

　　You and I were made in the image of God, not in the likeness of a smartphone. Our sustainer is God Almighty, not Apple, Microsoft, Google, or even Amazon!

　　So how do we reclaim (or just remind ourselves of) our human status as God’s creation? How do we remember we were made in His image and for His glory? We can start by reassessing where our dependence lies.

　　The next time you are drained of power and need to recharge your body (or your phone), let your device run dry and keep it off for an hour or two. If you fall behind on what happened on social media or you miss a call, someone can leave a message, like back in the days when instant communication didn’t dictate our lives. (With your phone off, or in the other room, you’ll be surprised how much more time and space there is in your day for creativity, meaningful conversations, and thoughtful execution of what you deem your top priority).

　　God never told us in His Word to hurry up, produce more, or run down the battery. His words resonate at a different pace: “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10 ESV); and “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Yet our next-day or even “same-day delivery with Prime” has made us even more incapable of waiting on God who is not bound by time or delivery schedules. The words of the psalmists were not “Hurry up, God, I need an answer within the hour” but rather, “I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning” (Psalm 130:6 NIV). Good things, rich things, priceless things come to those who wait on God and His perfect timing.

　　Intersecting Faith Life:

　　Do you need to revisit some of the things humans, rather than devices, do so you can become a vintage believer who experiences the beauty of waiting on God?

　　One of my favorite humanizing activities is my daily walk around a small lake near my home. I can’t help but recognize and adore God when I’m outside among the beauty of His creation—away from technology, mobile devices, and anything with a screen or signal. It is then that I can tune intoHissignals—a gentle breeze, the way He parts the clouds and sends the sun’s rays to shine through, the song of a bird, the rustle of leaves, and the reminder that “The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1 ESV). As you slow down and get outside and off your phone, you may rediscover the beauty of your Creator (not your Programmer) who calls you His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

　　According to the Westminster Catechism, man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. That means we were created—or dare I say wired—for worship. Being out in the beauty of His creation and worshipping Him reminds me of the Luke 19 account when Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on a young colt, and the Pharisees demanded He rebuke His followers for waving their palm branches and crying out praise to Him, their king. Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people remained silent, “the very stones would cry out.”

　　Our Lord must be praised. And we are the ones created in His imageto do it.

　　Don’t leave your God-given calling and purpose to the rocks! Get off your device, notice God and the people all around you, and give Him, not your phone, the attention He deserves.

　　Lord, may zeal for Your Word, not the contents of my phone, consume me. Help my worship time to exceed my screen time, so I am reminded of the One for whom I was created.

　　Further Reading:

　　Psalm 139

　　For daily perspective on Whose you are and reasons to praise, see my book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.

　　Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.

　　Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Jonh Orton Design

　　Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker, Bible teacher, certified writing coach, and award-winning writer who helps women and couples strengthen their relationship with God and others. She is also a mother, a pastor’s wife who has been married 37 years, and the author of 19 books, includingWhen Women Walk Alone (more than 160,000 copies sold),The New Loneliness: Nurturing Meaningful Connections When You Feel Isolated, andThe New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.For more on her speaking ministry, coaching services for writers, and books to strengthen your soul, marriage, and parenting, see her website:www.StrengthForTheSoul.com.

　　Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!

　　Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!