Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Bible in a Year: Psalms 42-44 | Acts 17

I have five children. Each one of them resembles me in some way. Every so often, I catch a glimpse of one of my children and see myself. Just as children reflect the image of their parents, all humans are image bearers of God. When God looks at humanity, he sees some reflection of himself.

In Genesis 1:26-27, we read that God made human beings (both male and female) in his image. He created them to rule and subdue creation. He placed them in a beautiful garden to tend and enjoy. They were created for intimate relationships with God and each other. They were free to enjoy the world. They had one rule: to trust God. And they failed. They allowed the serpent to whisper lies into their hearts and caused a rift in the relationship with God that has impacted all of creation ever since.

Humans still bore the image of God, but their relationship was broken. They now strove against God and other humans. They endeavored to prove their worth by tearing other humans down. The weak became victims of the strong. Strife and pain now reigned in the lives of humanity.

But God had a plan – Jesus. He came to restore the relationship broken by sin. He came to fix our image problem. When we look at Christ, we see the image of God. We see how far we are from who we were created to be and how impossible it is to measure up to his standard. But thankfully, we don’t have to! Through Jesus we receive a new nature.

Colossians 3:10
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Now, when God looks at us, he sees Christ. When we accept Christ we shed our broken distorted image and become whole, and we gain the ability to live into the original identity God created us to embody. Through Christ we put off the old and fallen nature and become new creatures by becoming like him.

It doesn’t matter if culture says that you are worth less than another. You are not defined by anyone other than God, your Creator. The thoughts running through your mind saying you’re not good enough are lies from Satan - the Accuser. God created us in his image. That’s astounding!

Questions:
1. When you look in the mirror what do you see?

2. What lies have you or others told you about yourself?

Next Steps:
Listen to Psalm 139 by Shane and Shane. Psalm 139 (Far Too Wonderful) When tempted to despair, remember that when God sees you, he sees Christ.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending your Son to restore humanity’s broken relationship with you. Silence the lies of those who say you could never love me. Help me to become more like Christ so that I can reflect your image to the broken world around me. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Colossians 3:10
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

This post was written by Julie Mabus, a Whitehouse attendee and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.