In the Image of… God. Does that mean we were meant to look like God? Or does it mean made to have the same abilities? No, I believe it means that we were made to have a similar potential. A potential to create or destroy, to be able to look at things and understand or figure out how they work or are made, the same capacity for love and empathy, and the same ability to help and connect with others.
Mankind is amongst the strangest of creatures on this planet, yes there are a number of amazing creatures sharing this world with us. Strange looks or abilities. Some who have learned to use tools, others who have adapted themselves or their surroundings so they may live in and or accommodate our world. But Man is the only one who has abilities that we have so often throughout history attributed to powers. Even though, as we understand them now they were not powers, as ascribed to by earlier generations. But as later generations explained, these were a person(s) abilities to look at a problem and understand the component parts of the problem and come up with a solution. At the time that solution may have seemed fantastic or incomprehensible, but it was really just us using our intellect.
Mankind has shown their abilities over and over again. How else are we able to appreciate and shape beautiful things, and be capable of so much good, yet be plagued with an apathy and a darkness which causes individual and mass ruination on scales inconceivable. Are these abilities not a part of our creation, in the image of God.
In life, all things can be the same or similar. If they are the same, there is no distinguishing them from one another. If similar, they are said to be close in proximity and or abilities and potential.
If, as we are told, we were created in the Image of God, would it not make sense to be created similar. Would a God want to merely have puppets on a string to dangle or dance around at a whim? Or would a God want its creation to be exactly the same so there was no distinguishing one from another?
Would a God not understand all the myriad of problems ahead of there happening and want to create and imbue his creation with abilities similar to theirs, but different enough so as to create companions. A creation that is able to grow and advance as its understanding and abilities grow? Amongst all the abilities attributed to God is the ability to empathize and help others by some means. To give of themselves so that others may flourish or prosper.
As mankind races into the future, the quickening of our lifestyle and the pace in which we live requires that we nurture our existing abilities, to understand, perceive, create, and help one another. Living a meaningful life is not about the goods we have or the money we earn, It is about connecting with and helping others.
Connectionz are what Matterz!