On the morning of February 28th, 2007, my wife and I experienced a day that forever changed our lives. In a hospital room, we welcomed the arrival of our firstborn child. The emotions were overwhelming, a mix of awe, joy, and an incredible sense of responsibility towards this new life. Although I’ve had many amazing experiences over the years, nothing compares to the moments our children came into the world.
The experience of seeing our firstborn son for the first time was indescribable. I was bursting with pride and joy. When the nurses told me he weighed 10 pounds, I was ecstatic. I had no idea why that detail mattered so much to me, but it did. After getting settled, I couldn’t wait to share the news with family. I left the delivery room with my arms in the air like Rocky Balboa, shouting, ’10 pounds! 10 pounds!’ A picture even captures that triumphant moment.
But why was I so joyful? This baby had done nothing for me yet—hadn’t spoken a word, achieved anything, or even recognized me. He had only been in my consciousness for the last nine or ten months. Yet, the birth of my children remains the most incredible moments of my life. Why is that? This is the starting point of understanding Imago Dei, the concept that humans are made in the image of God.
This joy I felt was a shadow of understanding what it means to be human, created in God’s image. Even if you haven’t had children, you’ve likely experienced this joy through a significant creation of your own, be it art, music, or any labor of love. These are mere reflections of the joy and pride of creating something. If we, as earthly parents, feel such overwhelming love for our children, it makes one wonder: is this how God feels about us? Does He have an even greater love and joy for us because we are fashioned in His image?
So, what does it mean to be made in the image of God? What are the ramifications? It’s not about physical appearance. Other creatures also have eyes, ears, noses, and mouths. Nor is it about our ability to create or achieve. Even animals show remarkable abilities like nest-building. While traits like creativity, imagination, and relational skills give us some insight, being an image-bearer of God is more than just these attributes.
Being an image-bearer of God is about our purpose. It’s not what we can do; it’s who we are designed to be. We are created to reflect the glory of God. Nothing in life will satisfy us more than connecting with this reality. We are meant to be reflections of the Creator. With over seven and a half billion people on earth, each one is an expression of the Imago Dei, the image of God.
In our home, we have countless photos of our family. These photos serve as snapshots in time, capturing the essence of who our children were at different ages. They tell a story. When I look at these pictures, I’m reminded that even as we’ve grown and changed, our core identity remains. Just like these family photos, we are reflections of God’s glory, majesty, and beauty.
Human dignity is unique across all creation. It’s tied to the worth ascribed to us by God Himself. This dignity is inherent within us, undiminished by our failures or shortcomings. Psalm 8 captures this sentiment beautifully, where David asks, ‘What is man that you are mindful of him?’ Even in our brokenness, God sees our worth because we are His creation.
The Bible is filled with stories of broken, flawed people whom God still chose to use. Take David, for example. Anointed as king yet chased by Saul, he faced immense fear and even pretended to be insane at one point. Despite his messy circumstances, David understood that God ascribed dignity to him. Psalm 56:8 illustrates this: ‘You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?’ This awareness of divine dignity allowed David to persevere.
Unlike other gods who demand loyalty through performance or enlightenment, our God stoops down to wash our feet. This act of service is not out of weakness but out of unrivaled greatness. Just as a parent serves their child out of love, God serves us, bestowing dignity upon us irrespective of our achievements.
In John 4, we encounter a woman who had lost her dignity. She lived a life marked by relational and sexual brokenness, shamed and ostracized by her community. Yet, Jesus met her where she was, offering her a chance to reclaim her dignity and purpose. This divine encounter restored her self-worth and set her on a new life trajectory.
As image-bearers, we don’t just carry God’s glory; we also carry His purpose. Colossians 3:9-10 urges us to ‘put off the old self with its practices, and… put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.’ This journey is about rediscovering our God-given destiny.
Romans 8:28-29 reassures us that ‘for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.’ We are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. The invitation is to step into this new life, leaving behind the brokenness of the past.
So, how do we respond to this incredible calling? The answer is simple: come home. Return to the heart of God, recognize the dignity He has ascribed to you, and step into the destiny He has planned for you. Wake up every day with a profound need for Him, seeking to walk in His purpose.
Living out our identity as image-bearers of God is not about our achievements or abilities. It’s about recognizing the dignity and destiny that God has given us. Whether it’s through the seemingly small tasks of daily life or grand dreams and aspirations, we are called to reflect His glory in everything we do. Embrace your identity, live big, and let God work through you to touch the world around you.
