“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

How special are humans? We were created in the image of God. He made us like Him. He put Himself in us. We bear His image. Just like our children share our DNA, we share God’s.

I’ve been praying and trying to figure out what my one word for 2017 should be. I like this one word idea. I get overwhelmed with all the New Year resolutions and goals. I start off strong and fizzle fast. But I can do one word. Keeps it simple. Helps me stay focused.

What does it truly mean to bear God’s image? To bear His image means we look like Him.

We should look like Him.

When others see us, they should see our Creator.

John Piper writes, “The point of an image is to image. Images are erected in public to display the original. Point to the original. Glorify the original. God made humans in His image so that the world would be filled with reflectors of God. So that nobody would miss the point of creation…Knowing, loving, showing God.”

Everything God created was for His glory. I was reminded of that as I read through the creation story in Genesis this week.

He created the world for His glory! And He created US for His glory!

“…Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7

This life is not about us, even though we try to make it about us. It’s about Him.

For His glory.

So I found my word for this year.

“Glory!”

I want to live my life for His glory. I want to bear His image so when others see me, they will see Him. And they will glorify HIM!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

The problem is so often Rachel wants to be the one who gets the glory. I focus too much on building my own image that it stamps His out. So that being said, I have a lot of work to do this year. I have started looking up and typing out scriptures that pertain to “glory.” I am going to post them around the house so hopefully I can refer to them often throughout the year.

My anchor verse is 2 Corinthians 3:18. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

As John Piper says, “He created the world to put His glory on display that His people might know Him, and enjoy Him and show Him.”

All for His glory!

 

So what’s your one word for 2017?

I want to encourage you to pick a word if you haven’t already. Pray and ask the Lord to show you a word you can focus on, learn, and grow in this year. Then look up, study, and memorize scriptures that pertain to your word. And please share it with me! I love to hear what the Lord is teaching you too!