When we lived in Ontario we used to frequent a bank in the village of Ayr. One day, I took a random glance into a nearby open door and saw my name on the wall. Yes, John Banks was written on a business diploma, from a school I had never attended! After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I strolled in and introduced myself to John Banks. We usually associate our name with our own identity, but have you ever google searched your name? You might be surprised, unless your name is Smith or Chang.
Thankfully our identity is not based on our name. The adoption process required us to be fingerprinted and verified against the thousands of criminal records on the loose. My record must have been squeaky clean as I got mine back in a day or two. Ha! Abby's are still out for review. But, where do we get this identity marker from?
Scientists tell us there is a high probability that no two people on the earth share exactly the same structural features in their fingerprints. Apparently, neither twins nor genetically cloned humans share the same prints. My own biological children have their own fingerprints, a small part of their unique identity, given by God. Thankfully, even if someone has the same name, we couldn't possibly share the same fingerprint. The fingerprint is a lock-box for our identity. "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14.
The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:27 that, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Theologians call this principle Imago Dei. This does not mean that man is God, but that the image of God is stamped in mankind, even in his fingers--it is what gives man worth or dignity. Even as marred by sin, mankind bears a reflection of God's identity, God's uniqueness displayed through creative genius. A great theologian once said, "A person's a person, no matter how small."
Matthew 25:40 says, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it unto me.'
Is it possible that when we reach out and embrace children who are in great need, we actually embrace a part of God's identity?
Thankfully our identity is not based on our name. The adoption process required us to be fingerprinted and verified against the thousands of criminal records on the loose. My record must have been squeaky clean as I got mine back in a day or two. Ha! Abby's are still out for review. But, where do we get this identity marker from?
Scientists tell us there is a high probability that no two people on the earth share exactly the same structural features in their fingerprints. Apparently, neither twins nor genetically cloned humans share the same prints. My own biological children have their own fingerprints, a small part of their unique identity, given by God. Thankfully, even if someone has the same name, we couldn't possibly share the same fingerprint. The fingerprint is a lock-box for our identity. "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14.
The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:27 that, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Theologians call this principle Imago Dei. This does not mean that man is God, but that the image of God is stamped in mankind, even in his fingers--it is what gives man worth or dignity. Even as marred by sin, mankind bears a reflection of God's identity, God's uniqueness displayed through creative genius. A great theologian once said, "A person's a person, no matter how small."
Matthew 25:40 says, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it unto me.'
Is it possible that when we reach out and embrace children who are in great need, we actually embrace a part of God's identity?
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