Sometimes we forget one important truth—we are made in the image of God. Does that mean we look like Him? The truth is, we don’t actually know since no one has ever seen God and lived to tell about it. Does that mean we act like Him? Certainly not, for since the fall of man, we switched sides and started acting like the devil. Does that mean we think like Him? Not here either! The fall robbed us of our God-like qualities and innocence.

So, what about us is in God’s image? I believe it is our ability to think, to process information, and to make choices. But perhaps a more personal look-alike-trait is that we have emotions because God has emotions. Consider this:

When I see earthly parents…….

~ holding a baby on his/her lap—I see a loving Heavenly Father coddling me.

~ smiling as their toddler takes its first step—I see Father God smiling over me when I take a step of faith.

~ consoling a child with a scraped knee—I see a compassionate God picking me up after a fall and telling me it will be OK.

~ disciplining a youth who refuses to obey—I see a gracious God disciplining me when my stubborn heart demands its own way.

~ worrying over a teen that has ran away from home—I see the pain in the heart of God when I stray from Him.

How could we think otherwise? If it is true that God loved us so much He gave up His only Son in order to rescue His lost children, why wouldn’t we know that God has feelings?

God certainly does have feelings of love, joy and compassion; but also of pain, sorrow, and sadness. This is an important fact for us to know, that is, if we are going to pursue a closer relationship with Him.

Think about it—when you and I have feelings, it’s because we really do look a lot like our Heavenly Father! ~ Janie Kellogg

Key Quote: “God is a person, and in the deep of His mighty nature He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, desires and suffers as any other person may.” ~ A.W. Tozer