We're thrilled to present this year's Month of Mission, which aligns with the theme chosen by our Moderator, Rt. Rev. Lydia Neshangwe, for her term: "Stronger Together."
Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). Being "Stronger Together" is a deeply missional theme. Each week in October, we will explore different aspects of this theme:
- Week 1: Unity in God
- Week 2: Unity in the Church
- Week 3: Unity in Families
- Week 4: Peacemakers
- Week 5: Concluding Thoughts
We've reached out to ministers from across the UPCSA to contribute devotions. We hope and pray that these reflections will be a source of blessing and encouragement to you.
Thanks and God bless,
Richard Mkandawire, Matshidiso Piroe, Brian Mazanhi, Stewart Gordon and Theo Groeneveld
(Your Mission and Discipleship Month of Mission Team)
Stronger Together
Week 1: Unity with, in and through God
In His Image
| Then God said, "Let Us make humankind in Our image, in Our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. (Genesis1:26-27) |
We are created in the image of God.
This is indicated in Genesis 1 (our passage) and it is illustrated in Genesis 2 when we are told that God fashioned us from clay and breathed (Hebrew = "Ruach" = Breath = Spirit) into us.
What does it mean to be created in God's image? Is it about ten fingers and toes, or something deeper? I believe Blaise Pascal captured it well when he said there is a "God-shaped vacuum" inside each of us---a space only God can fill.
We have a unique capacity for a personal relationship with God. Being created in His image means we can be known by God and know Him personally, authentically, and creatively. When we don't know Him, we haven't reached our created potential.
One of our core beliefs is in the Trinity---a perfectly loving community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If we are created in God's image, then we reflect God's nature, although sin distorts it. We reflect His creativity, appreciation of beauty, and, most of all, His capacity to love.
The bottom line is this: If God in the Trinity is a loving community, then we, created in His image, are meant to move toward loving community. We aren't meant to be lone-ranger Christians but to express our faith in community.
Some might argue that sin has made community impossible --- after all, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (who didn't have a leg to stand on! 😂). God also warns that relationships will suffer due to power struggles: "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." (Gen 3:16)
But this isn't our created purpose. God calls us to a higher standard. When Cain deflects responsibility for Abel's fate, God's question, "Where is your brother?" implies that community and care are a given --- a reality echoed throughout Scripture.
We are created for God-honoring, loving community. Though sin distorts it, we should strive to live in community as God intended.
----------------------------------------------
Theo Groeneveld is husband to Brenda and dad to son Caleb and Jedidiah the cat. He loves God, his family and the adventure of life. He has been serving at Emmanuel Presby Pretoria since 1997. He's a member of the Mission and Discipleship Committee and is passionate about the denomination's "Going for Growth" theme. He enjoys cycling, camping, exploring our country, playing with tech and working with his hands.
