Imago Dei

With Mother’s Day coming up, I’ve been thinking a lot about the women in my life. I’ve thought of course about my mom and my sister.  My beautiful daughters. My mother-in-law and sisters-in law. I’ve thought about my cherished friends and mentors – women who have helped to shape me and mold me into who I am today. I’ve thought about the women leaders that I admire from afar; learning from their strength and wisdom. All these women collectively gathered in my heart and mind as pillars of who I am and who I want to become.

And then, do you know where my mind goes to next? It goes to the reality that these women have all faced adversity simply because they are women. They have been second-guessed and silenced. They have been labeled as either “too much” or “not enough.” They have been sidelined and absorbed the messages directed at them that they are not smart enough or strong enough or pretty enough or thin enough. All these things simply because they are women.

Our world persists on a system of patriarchy that values the worth of men over women. We see it everywhere, but one basic and essential element of life where this persists is in our language. We’ve all done it – somebody says they are going to see a doctor and we ask “what is his name?” This jumping to the masculine is pervasive. It is everywhere. It is seeped into our culture that we don’t really even see it. And it exists in our theology as well.

We know that all humans are created in the image of God. Genesis 1 tells us this. “God created mankind in his own image…in the image of God he created them…male and female he created them.” If we take the time to pause and simmer in these words – if we take the time to breathe the truths in and out as God’s spirit awakens our senses – we awaken to the incredible impact that both men and women are created in the image of God. We awaken to the truth that God carries the characteristics of both Mother and Father.

But, traditional theology language to describe God does not include his characteristics of a mother. Our traditions only describe God as King and Father. And I can’t help but ask – how does this misperceived view of God not only impact our image of God, but also of our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters? How does this misperceived view of God impact how women view themselves? How they interpret their paths, their roles and their callings?

When the words used to describe the Divine do not include women, how does that shape us?

These questions light a fire in my belly. They drive a righteous anger in my chest to speak truth loudly and powerfully – women are Imago Dei – created in the Image of God. God created male and female in His image. Both. Both male and female are created in the image of God. Meaning that both are image bearers. Meaning that both male and female are representations of the characteristics of God. A fractured picture of God insists on only relating to him as Father, but a full picture of God reveals to us that God is also Mother.

Women are created in the image of God. You carry God’s image imprinted on you – and it is essential that we – all of us – see this. And the only way we can see this is if we have a wholistic and holy image of who God is.

God is in all of us – we are all created in the image of God. We are all Imago Dei. When will we start seeing each other in this way? When will we really start to believe this and live our lives and direct our hearts to our neighbors like this is true? When will we accept the restoration that God yearns for in his children? When will we see that all of us – men, women, black, brown, Asian, everyone is created in the image of God? Because this is the truth we will not even get close to understanding God’s love for us until we fully accept that we are all Imago Dei. Made in the image of God. Until we get beyond human cultural norms or conditioning and fear and instead look at each other and say: I see that God created you to be uniquely you. That you have purpose and I honor that purpose inside of you because that creation is not of this Earth. It is holy; it is God’s creation. And when we see this in each other – then we can even see it in ourselves. That God created us for unique purposes and as image bearers we have the freedom and responsibility to live out God’s call on our lives.

As image bearers, women and mothers, you partner with the Holy Spirit to shape and form the next generation. And, I have to say that I have been shaped and led by incredible women who may not be mothers in the traditional sense but have mothered me powerfully and lovingly.

Mothers – our image bearing bodies are literally broken for our children and this is true whether your child came from your body or not. Our bodies are broken on behalf of our children. Do you know who broke their body for God’s children?

Jesus.

Mothers – we shepherd and herd our children. We hold them and rock them, nurture them and sustain them. Who else shepherds, nurtures and sustains?

Jesus.

Mothers – we mend hurt hearts and broken relationships. We fiercely protect our children and in the next breath challenge them to become who God calls them to be. We see that they are holy and unique creations. Who else redeems broken relationships, protects, and challenges?

Jesus does.

Mothers, we not only carry the characteristics of God, but we are the Earthly representations of how God loves her children beyond measure. We are not only created in the image of God, but we understand in the most personal, physical, critical ways of how God loves her children, cares for her children, gives them grace beyond measure, challenges them and loves them enough to become flesh and die a horrific death on their behalf. 

You want to see how God loves her children? Then look no further than to a Mama.

My call is for us to honor the women, the mothers, in our lives. Not merely because of what they do for us or what they represent for us, but because of their sacrifices and love they are glorious images of God. Because of their strength and grace and sense of justice they reflect God’s being. Because of their immense impact on our identities and their vulnerability and sacrifice of their bodies – they are Imago Dei.