Permanence

There was a time in my life, in my late 30s and early 40s, when it seemed God was more impersonal. I didn’t understand very much about being created in the image of God.

There was a time in my life, in my late 30s and early 40s, when it seemed God was more impersonal. I didn’t have a sense of Him being personal in my life, its circumstances or situations, specifically to me.

It appeared like there was some sort of separation or chasm between us. In truth, I didn’t understand very much about being created in the image of God. What it meant to be made with His imprint in my life. Of belonging to God. Or of being personally loved by Him.

As I’ve talked with people over the years, I think my experience is quite common. Somewhere along the line, we stop believing in a personal God. We lose the truth and the sense of meaning and purpose of what it means to be made with God’s image in us.

In the marriage vows there is that familiar line, “What God has joined together, let no one separate.“

Jesus also promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb 13:5, NIV).

Do you hear these declarations of permanence?

Relational permanence is part of God’s promise to us, even as it is declared over us.

These are more than offhanded affirmations. They are truths that securely define our belonging to God and to one another.  With His personal presence in our lives.

This includes His image permanently in us.