Made in God’s Image – Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Some people say I look like my father. At times I say something and think how much that sounded like my mother. I have bits of both my parents in who I am. My eyes are shaped like my dad’s. My hair is a bit like my mom’s. I am like them yet I am my own individual. I am made in God’s image.
You are made in God’s image. I am made in God’s image. The person with a disability is made in God’s image. Everyone is made in God’s image.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the seas and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; man and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27
That didn’t end after the Fall but it is repeated in Genesis 5:1 “he made him in the likeness of God.”
What does it mean?
Books have been written on this subject. Papers have been written explaining what this means. Lectures have been given. I am not going to try to compete with those when writing this post. I want to discuss this from the view of a mom of a child with a disability. What does it mean to be created in God’s image when there is something wrong with me.
First of all, remember we all have something wrong with us, we are all disabled. We are not the way God originally created man because of sin yet we are still created in God’s image.
So what does this mean?
We are made in the image of God and we are different from animals. God created animals but they are not made in the image of God.
Each member of the Trinity has a role. God created us with roles. God created us to reflect him and to be like him.
We are like God. We reflect God.
It means that each person is valued by God. You and I are valuable to God. Those with disabilities are valued by God. This should change how we view each other. When we view each as bearing the image of God, we should grow in love, patience, and joy.
How can a child with disability display this?
Everyone can reflect God in their lives. It can be how we relate to others. We know that God is a God of love so the loving actions can be a display of God’s image. My daughter has an unconditional love for others. Everyone is her friend.
Often child with disability are dependent on others. The Trinity displays a mutual dependence. So even something as basic as being dependent reflects God.
It can be through the words that they speak. I have listened to the words that my daughter speaks and see how that reflects God. It can be words of encouragement or words to brighten someone’s day.
One unique ways that I see my daughter display God’s image is through her strong desire to know people’s names. To her names are important. I will often here, “What is that person’s name.” God know each of our names. Names are important to God.
I challenge you to look for ways that you see God’s image reflected in those you know.
What can we learn about God through the lives of the disabled?
We need to be involved in the lives of those with disabilities. Don’t allow those individuals to be hidden. They are valuable and we can and should learn from them.
We can learn how to depend on God. So often I know I find it easy to be independent and do it myself but God calls us to be part of his body. Together let’s learn to life dependent lives.
We can learn how God views weakness. We do all that we can to avoid weakness. Working for a better lap time, going a longer distance is part of training to be stronger. The scales we practice on an instrument are designed to strengthen our musical ability. Glass help to correct the weakness in our eyesight. These are not all wrong but when we strive for strength and look down on the weak then we are not living the way God wants.
We can learn about God from those with disabilities. We need to pause, slow down, listen, and learn.
The fact that each person is created in God’s image is a truth that should change how we view one another.
This is just some basic thoughts on this topic. Much more could be written.
This is part of a series of posts for Down Syndrome Awareness. Here are some other posts regarding Down Syndrome and Disability:
Don’t Pity Me Because I am a Special Needs Mom.
Leave a comment about how you see God’s image in those around you?
Share this post with others so that it will encourage them to think about how each of us displays the image of God.
This post was also shared on Grace & Truth Link-up.
7 thoughts on “Made in God’s Image – Down Syndrome Awareness Month”
I’ve worked with people with cognitive disabilities and a year ago, I received two cognitive diagnoses of my own. It’s a tough thing to accept. Your post is so encouraging and also offers beautiful insight into what it means to be made in God’s image. Thank you for linking up with Grace & Truth and sharing a topic that is near and dear to my heart.
I am glad this was an encouragement to you. It must be difficult to receive that diagnoses for yourself. Praying that God will encourage you.
Beth, I so enjoyed your article! I have had many encounters with the disabled, especially those with Down Syndrome. I agree, they ARE created in God’s image just as they are. They are not a “mistake” that caught Him off guard. And oh how they teach us so much about Him, the least of which is LOVE. Thank you for your beautifully written post.
When our daughter was born, there were lots of questions regarding her health and how we could care for her in Asia. I had to rest knowing, that this was not a surprise to God. I continue to rest in that truth.
When we lived in Virginia, a friend of ours had her down syndrome brother living with their family. Every night at bedtime, he would put on his pajamas, brush his teeth, then he would go in his room, close his door and preach for an hour. All five of her children would fall asleep with their uncle preaching God’s Word. It was his quiet time with God. It’s a precious memory!
That leaves me with tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing that as it confirms. My daughter recorded a prayer for me when I was in the hospital. It was very touching.
Your daughter is definitely making a beautiful mark on the world through her own actions and through the beautiful words of her mama! Thanks for sharing about her with us.