When you suffer through trying days, weeks, seasons, remind yourself that God knows the circumstances and personalities you are subject to daily. God knows the difficulties in navigating the public square as well as our more familiar spaces. God is always guiding our hope to the anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19). Our Creator God gently refreshes us with His all-knowing Presence. At the end of each day find ease for your spirit by turning over what is impossible for you to change to God. Maybe it’s an internal struggle. Even then, look to the new day ahead and really trust your tomorrow to Christ! Unlike machines and robots, we can’t simply purge or reboot ourselves from troubling events that life ‘downloads’ with the press of a key or button. Honest, passionate lovers of Jesus Christ everywhere tense under the weight of social distress, discord, disillusionment about who and what we thought were good. You’re not alone!

 

But be reminded that we are made in God’s image and likeness! (Genesis 1:26-27) Grasping what this means will help you find the determination to win the day when taxed by unkind people, closed doors, or facts beyond your control. You are made in God’s image and likeness! You were selected to have this testimony: “I am an overcomer because God has already won the war on my behalf!” Apply that and walk in the victory! You are destined to make a bright imprint in the world! The Sovereign King gave you a ‘new, powerful nature’ in Jesus Christ. Face each day as the conqueror you are. Sure, you’ll have bruises, but you will not be beaten by the dark schemes aimed at God’s faithful! We are redeemed image bearers!

 

Consider what biblical scholars (John Walton, Craig Keener) say about what the concept of being an image meant to people when back when Genesis was written.:

 

              “Throughout the ancient Near East, an image was believed to

               contain the essence of that which it represented. The essence

               equipped the image to carry out its function… it was generally a king

               who was spoken of in such terms. The image [reflected] the king’s

               power and prerogative. Monuments featuring the image of a king were

               set up in territories he had conquered… it was not physical likeness

               that was important, but a more abstract, idealized representation of

               identity relating to the office/role and value connected to the image…

              The Biblical view is similar as people were created in the image of

              God, embodying His qualities and doing His work. They [we] are

              symbols of God’s qualities and doing God’s work.”

 

You can count on God making your life an expression of His qualities. If you belong to Christ, it will certainly manifest! Christ is at work in you now! You will show goodness and righteousness even when facing evil. Christ will see to it that we represent Him well! Trials will help by humbling you. God has the best for us. will certainly reveal His glory in us when we trust, obey and refuse our old ways!

 

So let us ‘revere Christ in our hearts as Lord’ obeying the wise pastoral instruction of the Apostle Peter (I Peter 3:8-16).! .

 

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

 

‘For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’

 

 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

 

Represent God’s image well!

 

Pastor Catherine