Good theology leads to a good story.
Recently, I have been teaching high school students at our church about the Imago Dei. This is the Image of God in us. Humans are made in the image of God, the only creatures blessed with that title. We are the intentional creation of a loving God who wants a relationship with each of us. The Imago Dei is one of the most important theological truths we can teach kids. The fact that God created each of us provides dignity, meaning and purpose to our existence.
The logic is simple: since God created humankind in his image (Genesis 1:27), we are endowed with some of his characteristics. Theologians debate what this means, but I think it mostly means these six things: We have self-awareness or consciousness, innate morality, a need for community, a sense of transcendence, a calling or purpose, and the ability to express creativity.
Since every person is made in the Image of God, every person possesses these qualities. They are gifts from our Creator to be used for his glory. When we begin to understand this, it sets our lives on a meaningful course to make the most of the life we have been given. Every person is important. Every person has dignity. Every person has a contribution to share with the world that only they possess--a distinct thread in the tapestry of humanity only they can sew in the context of our time. We are small, yet we are infinitely important.
I love to teach this message to others. I also love to teach it to myself. That’s why I created this website.
I’ve been writing a blog for eight years. I’ve always loved to write, and the rise of social media gave me an outlet to write words that people might actually read. Over the years I’ve written about my family, sports, church, youth ministry, holidays, parenting, Chick fil-A, and various other things that crept into my fertile mind.
About a month ago, my son Jon said, “Dad, you should update the look of your blog.” He has a degree in marketing and works in marketing. He’s been working on a website for himself and his music. I figured he knew something. He said, “You should make a website.” Immediately, I loved the idea. I got excited about it. You could probably tell from my Facebook posts.
Anyway, I had a fresh purpose. Within a few days, I had purchased a domain (that sounds so imperialistic) and paid the subscription fee for a year of Squarespace. I began the work of creating something that only I could create, something that expressed the Image of God in me. (I needed a little help on the technical side. Thanks, Jon!)
I did have a few second thoughts along the way. Was I being arrogant to think anyone would even care what I had to say? Was I just a social media narcissist, trying to feed my own insecurities with the promotion of a "brand" only I would purchase? Am I becoming an annoying over-poster? (No comment, please.)
But I’ve come to the conclusion that this is something I need to do, even something I am supposed to do. It is a way for me to express the unique voice that I have in this world. I have an audience of sorts, and I have some influence gained from years of being a pastor, father, coach, and writer. This is the natural progression for someone who loves to write, who loves to express his unique creative voice. No one has to read my posts on my website, but hopefully some will. Either way, I have to do this. It’s God in me. It will force me to think and write and share the things that matter to me. It’s the next chapter in my story.
You can call it God or a conscience, or you can dismiss it as that intuitive knowing we all have as human beings, as living storytellers; but there is a knowing that I feel that guides me toward better stories, toward being a better character. I believe there is a writer outside ourselves, plotting a better story for us, interacting with us, even, and whispering a better story into our consciousness. (Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years)
Good theology leads to a good story. I hope you are inspired to find the one God is writing in you. I’m excited to invite you to the next chapter in mine.