In God’s Image

IN GOD’S IMAGE

A devotional looking at how all of us were created In God’s Image even through we come from different cultures and experiences from around the world. God delights in what he has created and we should celebrate the works of his hands.  

So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

—Genesis 1:27—

THOUGHT:

I am reminded that on the first Sunday in May, the United Methodist Church lectionary honors our Native American brothers and sisters in Christ. The “Native American Ministries” are a vital part of the church’s service to the world.

Native American Ministries Sunday helps remind us, as United Methodists, of contributions made by Native Americans in our communities. With more than 20,000 Native Americans within the denomination, this day of honor helps to ensure that Native American United Methodist leaders are recognized and to celebrate their special voice in The United Methodist Church. This Special Sunday was officially recognized in 1988 and has been celebrated on the Third Sunday of Easter since 1989. 

As I researched the subject, there were countless stories of Native Americans who were introduced to and are an integral part of the Methodist church. One such story was of a young Native American woman, who was struggling between holding fast to her Indigenous background, and yet searching for a true and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Historically, preachers would try to separate the two entities and pursue a hard-lined view of abandoning their native culture and only focusing on a direct line of Methodism. As times evolved though, the Methodist church started realizing the importance of honoring someone’s culture as a true and vital part of their lives. When she attended Wesley Theological Seminary, she found positive and culturally affirming people who helped guide her along the way. She was given the freedom to completely immerse herself in monotheism, and still feel comfortable amongst her Native American family and friends. They helped her to understand that spiritual beliefs and cultural norms do not have to be in opposition to each other.

When the Confirmands at our church are in the midst of their training, we try to visit various kinds of churches. We visit Catholic cathedrals, Jewish synagogues, and a Methodist church whose congregation is predominantly Black. The Confirmands are exposed to the beauty and intricacies of diverse cultures. It is always a memorable part of their Confirmation journey and I have personally heard their thankfulness for learning that all of us, regardless of culture, skin color, nationality, or church customs, is a child of God, “beautifully and wonderful made.”  Observing how we are alike and different is such a privilege. How boring would it be if everyone did everything the same in every church?

Dr. King, when speaking on the importance of understanding that we are all Gods’ children, remarked:

“Eleven o’clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of America.”

–Dr. Martin Luther King–

So, as we gather this Sunday, or any Sunday for that matter, let us celebrate together! Let us celebrate our similarities as believers in Jesus Christ but let us also celebrate our differences in culture. Whether it is Black History Month or Native American Ministries Day or any other culture around this magnificent world that God created, it is vital to remember that culture and spiritual beliefs can exist together in a formidable and amicable way.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe, hear our prayer for unity. Creator of me, and Creator of you, we plead to possess the love needed to love all people. Help us to be blind and deaf to color, race, nationality, or heritage. Instead, help us to be bold and insightful, ready to listen to everyone. Creator Lord, hear our prayer. AMEN.

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