Chapter One ~ In His Image

"Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them."
Genesis 1:26-27

"All humanity (men and women), then are equally representations of God and are like Him in certain aspects." p 21


God has created men and women in His image. This means that although we are not exactly like God, there are attributes that He shares, and ways that we reflect who God is. He has called us to do certain tasks and in these tasks we represent His image. We are called to rule over creation. "Men and women are called to be God's co-regents, working and ruling in His world, under His authority, for our happiness and His glory." p 26 We are called to relate like Him. "God in His perfection is diverse, yet the same. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all the same in their being (all equally God), yet different in the functions." p 26 Men and women are equally in God's image, yet we have different roles. We are called to reproduce. This is not limited to having children. "We teach, mentor, and disciple others who are not directly a part of our biological family." p 28 We are called to reflect on the world around us. We are called to rejoice. "The ability and desire to praise what brings us pleasure is simply a reflection of the adoration that has always existed within the Trinity." p29 And lastly we are called to rest. "He then set the seventh day apart by blessing it as a time for the most special and pleasing enjoyment of man: to revel in the sweet joy of fellowship with his Creator and to observe His great acts." p 29

So, what does this mean to me? This week as I read this chapter I've been thinking about what it means to me, as a woman, to rule, in light of the fact that I'm also called to be a helper. I'm called to rule as a helper. To me this means that I am not to rule for my own agenda, but the one I am helping. I so frequently want to rule things my way for my purposes. But it's not about me! I am to rule for the glory of God and the glory of my husband. I am to seek the Lord's priorities and my husbands priorities, not mine. This means dying to myself. It means forsaking my desires for the Lord's. Christ is the ultimate example of this. He made His Father's goals His goals. He became one with His Father's will. This is for my good and His glory.