[Vertical Series] Look Upনমুনা

We Are Made in His image and Objects of His love 

Who gets to tell you who you are? Who has the authority, power, and is influential enough to define you? Is it your family, friends, or significant other? Do your name, ancestry, race, social background, or culture itself define you? The answer to these questions will explain why you are where you are today, and may possibly influence your destiny.

Let us not fool ourselves by saying that these factors, or people, have nothing to do with how we perceive ourselves. Unfortunately, we have all been guilty of falling into this trap. And yet, when it comes to defining who we are, who is better than the Creator Himself? Who can know you better than the One who dreamed and formed you in your mother’s womb? Who is better than the One who loved you before the creation of the world? 

As Christians, we all know that this is the truth, but most of us do not live by it. We tend to look horizontally when we should be looking up! We surrender the freedom God has given us to other people and to  variables over which we have no control. We quickly forget that we were made in God’s image– fearfully and wonderfully made. 

There is an eternal aspect to us, something precious that makes us special. We were created in love, for God, and by God. Each one of us is unique. There is no other human being in the world who has your fingerprints. Take a look at your fingers and remind yourself of God’s relentless love for you. 

Such love deserves not only our admiration, but also our loyalty. In today’s reading, you will see that God says we are “the objects of His love” (Deuteronomy 10:15). He, who is the God of gods and Lord of lords, mighty and awesome, loves us not only with His words, but sacrificially–with His actions. 

Our response to such an indescribable love is to live with a vertical perspective; to look up and find the answer to our deepest needs. We find meaning, worth, and answers to our deepest questions in God and God alone. I pray that the understanding and experience of God’s love in your life will lead you to seek His kingdom first and to love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. As a consequence, you will experience real freedom, an accurate and true sense of self-worth, and the righteous perspective that comes from looking up.