Whose Image?

Ivan Albright
American, 1897-1983
And Man Created God in His Own Image 
1930-31

Sometimes I have to push myself away from the computer and this week was one of them. I not talking because I spent too much time reading, however true that may be, but due to statements 'religious' leaders make, and a subsequent rise in blood pressure.  Case in point,  Pat Robertson's recent statement (or if you'd rather read a short  transcript). The two articles below give adequate arguments, and one, a poignant example of the absurdity of Robertson's position especially as a follower of Christ. You can read some responses here and here. In many ways these arguments point further back, to a loving God, who created humans, in His image. And created them 'very good'. Consider the implications of that for a minute...or two...or sixty. Needless to say we are no longer in that blissful pre-fall state. But we still retain His image, although marred by sin which shows up in the form of Alzheimers (and no I don't mean this person was curse with Alzheimers because of some sin committed), of seeking justification to divorce the spouse stricken with it and of encouraging others to feel justified in doing so.  When we look at one another, we should see the image of God.  We are ministering to Christ, who is the very image of God, when we wipe the chin of our loved one who no longer recognizes us. But when we refused to care for those suffering, it is not just because we choose to ignore His image in them, it's because we also choose to ignore His image when we look in the mirror. We seek to shape ourselves into what we think we should be, have the life we are entitled to, and so recreate our parents fall.  We fault the suffering for making us miserable, ugly.  We believe in finding relief from suffering, our lives will be as they were 'supposed' to be, but it is, at best, a temporary respite. The refusing to enter into the suffering shapes us, but not into His image. His image, His character, patiently pursues us with long-suffering, when we don't, can't, or won't respond. Suffering He willingly accepted. Suffering that led to His death and resurrection. He asks that we join Him there, because He knows better than all, how that shapes His image in us.