So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
Male and female he created them.Then god blessed them and said,” Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Then God said,” Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground-everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:27-31
I am very self -deprecating. I am not sure why. I think maybe, in some way, I feel that if I point out my flaws to others before they see them then it won’t seem so bad. Unfortunately, this has become a very bad habit. I have done it for so long it just kind of falls out of my mouth. I have a hard time accepting compliments. After reading these last few verses in Genesis 1 it hit me that I am telling God he didn’t get it right with me, that in some way, He messed up. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them.” Isn’t that a beautiful verse? So important is this verse that it is written in two different ways just so we would really get the picture. Yes, we are flawed, but we are beautiful and should embrace the beautiful way we were made. Being confident rather that self-deprecating is not pride it is simply the knowledge that God created us in His image and we are not a mistake. It isn’t just knowing these things, but believing them. That is what I have to work on. I know them. I just need to work on believing them. It hurts God’s heart when we bash ourselves and beat ourselves up over a mistake or what we consider to be flaws. We are made in his image and beautifully and wonderfully made. So much so, that when God was finished with His creation of man He sat back and looked at all that he had made and saw that it was very good. He did not look at the creation of man and think it was OK or mediocre. He saw that it was VERY good. Our hope and confidence comes from the Lord, not ourselves. Join with me in rejoicing in every moment of our lives, even when we mess it up. Stand up, brush yourself off and start again. That is what each day in Christ Jesus promises. We are not defined by our mistakes. We are defined by Christ in us.
Gracious Heavenly Father and Creator of all things, forgive us when we beat ourselves up over mistakes. Forgive us for not loving ourselves and accepting that we are Your creation. Every part of us was created in Your image. What an exciting gift! Thank You! Please help us to remember today, that we are worth it. Thank You for Your unending love and compassion. Thank You for Your word that continues to remind us of these truths. Help us to spend time each day in Your word so that we don’t forget how precious we are to You. In Jesus Name, Amen