Genesis 1:26 (NIVUK)
26 Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’
What is God’s image? This verse links the idea of image and likeness with ruling. In some sense we are made to rule over life on earth. This can very quickly lead to ideas of exercising power over nature, of manipulating it or subjugating it to our own ends. Climate change means we’re beginning to realise the danger of seeing it this way. This idea of having power over things is a way of understanding power that is corrupted by sin. How does God rule? As seen in the incarnation, as seen in the act of creation, as seen in Jesus’ life and relationships, as seen on Maundy Thursday, as seen in the Cross God rules by giving himself to serving others.
Father, forgive us for the ways in which we have misrepresented your image by abusing creation rather than looking after it and seeking its best. Help us to relearn what power means and to seek a better way.
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