MADE IN HIS IMAGE

Being a cradle Catholic, I grew up going to Mass on Sundays, singing in the children's choir, and went to CCD classes. There were some stories in the Bible that were referenced over and over again. One of them is the Creation story in Genesis. You hear it as a child, and throughout your whole life. You most likely can even quote it, "Then God said, 'Let there be light, and there was light" (Genesis 1:3).

There is a BIG detail in the Creation story that I didn't realize until I was in college at a Bible Study. The detail was that ALL creation was brought to life by God's voice... all that is, but MAN. 

Growing up, I was often told, "You are made in the image and likeness of God." I never really understood what that meant. At that time in my life, I pictured God as an old man with a long white beard, resembling the character, Gandalf in Lord of the Rings. I remember thinking, "How am I made in His image? I don't look like that?" 

As I started to go deeper in my faith, I discovered some awesome truths. In Genesis, Chapter 2, verse 7, it says, "The Lord formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breathe of life, and the man became a living being." Then God created Eve from the rib of Adam with His hands. 

God could have simply voiced Man into existence. He could have just said, "Let there be man. Let there be woman." We could have all looked the same, and had the same strengths and weaknesses, however, God decided to use His hands, and His fingerprints are all over us. He created us each individually, with a plan and purpose in mind. He gave us the gifts and talents we each bear for a reason. 

Another important detail that should NOT be ignored, is that God said something after He created each thing. He said, "And it was GOOD." God created you, and it was GOOD.  The Bible did not say, "God created woman and her hips were too big or her nose was weird". In fact, it says quite the opposite, it says, "It was good, it was VERY GOOD." 

When I discovered this truth, I finally stopped comparing myself to others, wishing I had what someone else had been given. I love the quote by Theodore Roosevelt, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Stop the envy and coveting, and embrace the gifts and talents God has given you. God doesn't make mistakes and He doesn't make ugly, so never doubt your gifts and beauty. He made you in His image, and you are complete in HIM. 

P.S. A fabulous resource, is the website Made in His Image. This site is dedicated to inspiring and empowering women to know their dignity and self-worth. It also focuses on healing for women who have been abused, or struggle with eating disorders. I highly recommend checking it out!