I Am the Image of God

I am the image of God,

The image, the likeness, the representation.

I am God’s passport photo,

And the picture on God’s driver’s license.

And like so many such images

My likeness to God may not always be flattering.

I am the picture where God blinks,

Or where God’s hair is sticking out in odd directions.

I am the image that makes God look ten pounds heavier,

The picture God hides in a wallet,

And only shows when needed.

At least that would be my response.

But God does not hide me away in shame.

God displays me as the official portrait,

Hung in the halls of power.

God points to me and declares,

“This is what I look like,

This is who I am.”

And when I can see nothing but how I reflect poorly,

And the reality is so much more beautiful,

God whispers a reminder,

“I am your weakness.

I am your limitation.

I am your failures.

You verify my identity.

You prove that I am me.

Because of you I can move freely in the world.

Through you I can touch the lonely and disheartened.

In you I am present to so many who have no other way to find me.”

I am the image of God,

The imperfect, embarrassing, unlovely reflection

Of a grace, beauty, and love that transcends imagination,

And yet, I am the image of God.