By Rev. Janet Stobie
In the Bible, our first creation story tells us: “Let us make human beings in our image… in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them.”(Genesis 1:26-27 The Message).
Whether or not you believe this story as literal truth, or see it as the Israelites explaining life as they experienced and understood it, this story contains three important truths:
1. God is the source of all creation— whether created gradually through evolution or all at once in six literal days.
2. Humanity is created in God’s image— male, female, or whatever one’s gender identification.
3. Creation is good— God saw it, and it was good.
Let’s take a moment to think about that second truth: humanity created in God’s image.
We — you and I and everyone else, all of us — are created in God’s image. My interpretation of that sentence is that somewhere in our genes, in our DNA, there is an image of God. I call that a spark of God.
Nothing we do, say, or think can completely obliterate that spark, although at times it may seem as if some have managed to do that. To us, their minds, hearts, and actions appear filled with darkness. Still, I believe that if we could examine their lives carefully, every once in a while we, and they, would be surprised by a spark of God appearing even from them in an act of kindness, a loving word, or a compassionate thought.
When we nurture it, God’s light shines through us vivid and beautiful — in our thoughts, our actions, and our deeds. Some of us intentionally feed that spark of God within us now and then; some do so continually, every day. Always, our lives are blessed by it.
As usual, our Indigenous friends have a story to help us understand. It is an old Cherokee legend.
An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he told the young boy. “A fight between two wolves. One is evil — full of anger, sorrow, regret, greed, self-pity, and false pride. The other is good — full of joy, peace, love, humility, kindness, and faith.” “This same fight is going on inside you, grandson,” he continued, “and inside every other person on the face of this earth.” The grandson pondered this for a moment, then asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Each morning when we wake, we can begin our day by asking for God’s help to feed the spark of God that lies within us. We can remember we are created in God’s image.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, let us remember that the love within us — for partners, family, friends, and even strangers — is God’s spark shining into the darkness of this world.
Together, we can light up the world, so that all may experience life and say: IT IS GOOD!
For more Reflections: www.janetstobie.com