Created in God’s Image

As we enter into the season of Lent, we find ourselves as a nation and as a church in tumultuous times. Many of us struggle with feelings of anger, fear, anxiety and uncertainty of where to place our trust.  There are many bold, brave voices that are calling us to reassert a commitment to our democracy. I encourage you to seek them out. But as disciple of Jesus, we must also be seeking out the bold, brave voices that are calling us to reassert our commitment to following Jesus.

One of the resources that I am turning to in these days is a bold, brave voices that I have admired for several decades: Rev. Jim Wallis, who for many years led the Sojourners movement in Washington, DC and who continues to serve the church as writer, preacher, evangelical pastor and public advocate for justice. I am reading his book: Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus.

In one of his reflections, he pointed out that one of the most radical statements in the Bible is found near the very beginning, in the story of Creation: So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

To declare that each and every human being is made in the image of God is to disallow any kind of devaluing or demeaning of another person based on differences of race or creed or gender or wealth or abilities or nationality. As children of God, we do not get to “other” anyone.

This outcry that we are hearing around us about the supposed “evils of DEI” is actually a theological heresy. To speak out against the values of diversity, equity and inclusion is nothing less than a refusal to believe that ALL people are created in the Divine image. God’s creation celebrates diversity. The prophets of God cried out for equity. Jesus preached a kingdom in which all were welcomed.

As Jim Wallis reminds us, “It all goes back to who we believe is made in the image of God.”

Amen.

Pastor Annette