Image of God
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Gen 1:27 KJV
We don’t need an image/representation/idol of our invisible God simply because He has already provided one (actually, billions of images). Each of us is an image bearer. Maybe not a complete picture of God, but we have the family resemblance.
You’ve seen it. You watch a family walk across the parking lot and almost die laughing as you notice that they all walk the same. You have your mother’s eyes, your father’s nose, Aunt Ida’s height and your grandfather’s facial expressions. Family resemblance not only includes physical characteristics, but mannerisms, speech and habits. Much of it is a matter of genetics, but often some of the most telling features are acquired through observation and imitation.
Dissonance
Despite our family resemblance to our Father in Heaven, their seems to be a disconnect between who God is revealed to be and how humanity operates. While God “demonstrates His love for us (Rom 5:8),” we have demonstrated that “every imagination of the thought of [our] heart is only evil continually (Gen 6:5).” Every family has a black sheep, but God’s seems to have several billion.
How can the children of a creative God be so destructive? How is it that a God of order has children who bring chaos and confusion? Why is it that the children of a God who call us to “come reason” are so unreasonable? Clearly, there’s something wrong here.
Juxtaposition
Performance art is many things, but, regardless of the methods and media employed, it is calculated to change attitudes, behaviors and perception. By interacting with the “audience” and inviting participation, performance art becomes a real event in a real space in a real time. Though composed of abstract concepts and components, it becomes very concrete. It does not allow for a passive response.
When we pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” we declare our intention to see the Love and Truth of our Father replicated here on earth. Our lives become performance art juxtaposing God’s kingdom with the kingdom of this world. And the dissonance should be shocking – just like our big brother Jesus.
If we live Truth among all the lies and demonstrate Love in the midst of hate it will be shocking/noticed/memorable. It is a life that invites participation in the kingdom of God and demands an active response. Instead of being an event with beginning and end, it is a continuous performance drawing attention to the absurdity of the human plight simply by a life well lived. Not shocking for the sake of attention, but inviting the “audience” to join the performance or at very least to declare where their allegiance lies.
I am made in His image. I am art.