On the sixth day of creation God spoke these words, “Let us make man in our image after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26). This race of beings would be a model and pattern of the Creator God. They would be the human appearance of God on earth. They were created to be a phenomenon, God shaping Himself in this being. God made this being to be a representative of Himself. They are human beings each with their own imagination.
Being made in the image of God carries several powerful illustrations.
- Mankind is a model of God. He was formed to be a reference point for God. He would represent the truth that God exist in this physical spiritual being. She would be the display that declares the glory of God on earth.
- Mankind is a pattern of God. Created in him were qualities similar to God, like love, mercy and forgiveness. These qualities shows that he is similar to God.
- Mankind is a guide to God. God created this race of beings to bring themselves to Him. On this unique journey that He gave them, called life, God set a path before each one of them to discover Him, know Him and enjoy Him all the days of their lives. And each one of them would help the other find God. Each one of them would be a guide through their expereinces to bring others to Him.
But how does this created race express their God in such a way that is consistent with their creative purpose? I think the key is found in this word image. To be made (the Hebrew word for made is asah, which is the second most dominant word for create in the Bible) in His image simply means to have some of Him in us. We’re not exactly like Him but we are similar to Him. I think the dominant similarity is our imagination.
“Within our minds is the power to create concepts and form processes that can change the world.”
We are the image of God because we are beings with imagination. This powerful faculty that every human being has is the ability to see things before they exist. To believe things before they occur. To form things in our minds before we produce them with our hands.
Within our minds is the power to create concepts and form processes that can change the world and impact generations that have not been born.
Serve God through your imagination
With our imagination we can create reality, we can shape the future.
Why would God give us such a powerful ability and the freedom to do with it what we want to do? Why would God deposit imagination in us in such a distinctive way?
Because the greatest way that we can represent Him in this world is by serving Him and the greatest way that we can serve Him is by activating our imagination. One of the ways that we serve God is through our imagination.
Let me give you an example. My dominant creativity is writing. As I write the words of this article they flow from my imagination. As I write I serve God because this is the vision He has given me, to write to please Him and inspire others.
Through writing I’m a builder. I’m building the glory of God and building the human race. I’m creating a door for others to walk through and experience God. I believe that God is pleased with my service.
When you serve God through your imagination, whether it’s a written or spoken word, a poetic verse, a song, helping others to find solutions God is pleased with your service and with your imagination you are changing the world.
Let your imagination create a new beginning in your life and in the world.
