Issue 1217 – Little People – August 9, 2023

Yesterday we took the granddaughters for a visit to a swimming hole along the Vedder River, not far from theGreat Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack.

When we arrived, we saw the fascinating structure shown in today’s image. Rows of inunnguaq standing in front of an inunnguaq on a log. 

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, “inunnguaq, which means “in the likeness of a human. “This familiar stone figure with head, body, legs and arms is often mistakenly referred to as an inuksuk. Its purpose is more symbolic than functional. Because it looks like a little person, its image has become a popular cross-cultural symbol.”

The rows of statues are about nine or ten feet long. Creating those rows of little people took a lot of time and effort. What was its purpose? It seems most likely some form of child’s play. Whatever the goal, it was an unusual find.

Those figures started me thinking about what it means to be a human being. I don’t believe we are simply another animal that evolved by chance. We are intentionally created beings, crafted into the very image of our creator, with a clear purpose.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:26-31

What does it mean to be created in the image of God? We can’t physically resemble God because He is spirit, not flesh. We can understand what the incarnate Jesus looked like because we know he took on flesh and human form. Still, even to Jesus, there is more than just physical form. He is entirely human but, at the same time, completely God.

If our resemblance isn’t physical, what does it mean to be created in God’s image (imago Dei)?

In Genesis 2, we get a hint.

“the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Genesis 2:7

Humanity is the only species of created being given the very breath of God. Of all the created order, we are unique in having both a physical body and an immortal soul.

God created us to be in His presence and the recipients of his love forever. That has stunning ramifications as to how we treat one another.

All people have intrinsic value because of the nature of their creation. Regardless of ethnicity, skin colour, language, gender, ability, or disability, God has created us to enjoy him forever. Every person ever made is of infinite, eternal worth.

Of course, not everyone will be with Him, depending on their choices, but all deserve respect and dignity.

That flies in the face of cultures that euthanize the less abled or the elderly. It flies contrary to our youth-centric culture or racial discrimination. Every person created is worthy in God’s eyes, and as it is in His eyes, so it should be in ours.

At least at times, we are all guilty of looking down on others because of some arbitrary criteria. Forgive us for that, Lord and teach us to understand and live with the truth that every person bears your personal image somehow.

May we love one another as we are called to love you and as you love us.

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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