Image Bearers of God

One outstanding truth I’ve recently been marveling over is this: I am an image bearer of God. I am a mom of three, living in the suburbs of Central Florida. A woman who spends her days folding laundry, cooking for a family of hungry boys, vacuuming, mopping, and chatting on the phone. I am an image bearer of Christ. And if I carry that title, do you know what that means for you?

You, dear reader, are an image bearer too!

This truth is found in Genesis 1:26-27 NIV:

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

This truth is both awe-inspiring and incredibly humbling.

Letting this truth sink deep into your soul is essential—it carries a call to action. To embrace it fully, we must be rooted in prayer and Scripture. Start each day in conversation with your Heavenly Father. When you spend time with Jesus, His peace will fill your heart, and His love will overflow. With joy in your spirit, you're ready to step into the world and reflect His image.

In Luke’s Gospel, we read: “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” (Luke 10:1 NIV)

Jesus sent His followers—ordinary people like you and me—to share the good news:

            “The Kingdom of God has come near.” (Luke 10:9 NIV)

And we, too, are called to share that same message today.

Friend, I want to encourage you as you go out into the world. You don’t need a seminary degree. You don’t need a microphone or a street corner. You don’t even need to knock on doors and preach to strangers. I believe the greatest way we reflect the image of God is through love. After all, God is love, and we are made in His image (1 John 4:8 ESV).

Here are simple ways to love others right where they are.

Offer a listening ear to the stressed-out mom next door. Give no opinions, advice, or judgment. Don’t jump in with a way to fix her situation—listen. I’ve found that actively listening to people is often what they truly need, rather than a "Mrs. Fix-it" approach.

Share a smile and a hug with a friend at the grocery store. I must be honest with you—I wasn’t always the most affectionate person. Hugging hasn’t always been my thing. But the closer I get to God, the more open I become to touch. Physical touch is incredibly healing. A simple hug can help mend all sorts of emotional wounds.

Send an encouraging text to a coworker. Imagine the feeling you could give someone by sending uplifting and edifying words straight to the device they hold in their hand. Words are more powerful than we often realize. Try typing something encouraging today—it could impact that person long after you press send.

In Proverbs, we read: “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24 ESV)

Love those around you.

And remember—you are not alone. Jesus didn’t send His people out by themselves; He sent them with a partner. I believe He still does that today. God places people in our lives to join us in His mission.

Look around you. Who has God placed beside you to walk this journey of faith? It might be your spouse, sibling, or close friend—someone you trust and can lean on as you share His message.

Find that person. Encourage each other. Support one another. Go together.

And never forget, you are never truly alone. You always have the Holy Spirit with you, guiding, strengthening, and empowering you every step of the way. (See Acts 2:38)

Reflection Questions and Path to Action:

1. How can you offer love to someone today?

2. Do you fully believe you are an image bearer of Christ? How does that truth make you feel?

3. Choose three people this week and show them a random act of kindness.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for creating me in Your image. I humbly accept the call to live a life that reflects Your love to those around me. Give me eyes to see the needs of others, and stir in me a desire to move toward them with compassion. Show me how to love those around me—not for my glory, but for Yours.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:30 ESV