I have been dreading this day. I feel heavy and concerned for my family, for others.
The 4th of July - a day when Americans celebrate - independence. Under normal circumstances we get together and throw a party, have a barbecue, watch fireworks. But we are also in the middle of a pandemic. People are tired of being apart. Rebelling, even angry. More people will “break the rules” today. More people will get sick, disease will spread, using our own desire to be close, our desire to be together, to be one, to reflect the Image of God, against us.
I am sad. I am anxious. I feel defeated.
Suddenly the Holy Spirit shows me a different perspective. A different way to see this.
This pandemic has revealed a beautiful fact. In all our brokenness, in all the chaos, in everything that has been twisted, God has preserved His Image in humanity. Not just in the Church, but in all humanity!
In all the time sin has been in the world, it has not been able to destroy the Image of God that is in us all - our desire to be One. To be in relationship.
It has taken a beating since the Garden. It is no longer untarnished and pure, but it is still there. Still strong, even defiant against what the enemy would throw at it. It is strong even in those who do not acknowledge it as God’s Image.
God is greater. In humanity we see that the Image of God is not defeated. We desire oneness and relationship!
Not that I think we should abandon wisdom and be together at all costs. On the contrary, it is my opinion that we are called to wisdom. I believe we need to face this situation as the foe that it is and work together to defeat it. We can assess our vulnerabilities and use our strengths. Those strengths may include patience, self-control, perhaps self-denial for a time. I see those characteristics in Jesus in His time on this planet. The unified goal being to see the enemy defeated once again!
This revelation for me is not about influencing behavior or personal choices during this time. I have my opinions, but it is too big a task for me to tackle what is right for everyone. I am not the judge.
My joy and my hope is in the fact that the Image of God is still alive and well in the human race! Bruised, imperfect, dented, cracked, but alive and well!! Thanks be to God! He is the Victor!
Ok now I sound a bit Christian-ese. Forgive me. I am excited. There is hope for us. God is good. His image prevails in us! He can continue to build on that in us as a planet.
Lord, I pray that you will teach us during this time of forced separation, that seems wise to me for a time to embrace our desire for Oneness that is Your Image reflected in us. Use it into the future as we are able to come back together to bring us to greater unity as a church, city, state, nation and world. Lord, like Job, bless our latter days more than our beginning!
Genesis 1:27 NKJV
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
1 John 4:4 NKJV
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
John 16:32-33 NKJV
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 17:20-23 NKJV
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
About the Author
Darla loves God and is the Media Communication Coordinator for CitySalt Church. She is a graphic designer and an entrepreneur. Always learning. Eternally grateful for her wonderful and supporting husband Mark and faithful friends who are are pillars of encouragement in all her endeavors.
Mark and Darla have no children but have the privilege of loving a gaggle of ever expanding nieces and nephews.