As a business owner for the last thirty years, I understand the value of marketing and the importance of image.
In every case, the need to portray ourselves and our organizations in a positive light is at the forefront of the image we present to others.
Though this is true and an effective strategy, it is also a very limiting factor.
Why?
The answer is easily seen in the kaleidoscope of images God has created in humanity. Here we can easily see, it is our differences that make us unique, not our ability or willingness to be molded into the image created by another.
Our desire to be seen, positioned, or recognized can motivate us to allow ourselves to conform our image into the image required by another. Cultural similarities likes and or dislikes can also lead us to becoming someone we were not created to be.
The willingness to go along, to get along has always existed and continues to be practiced today.
This is what I call the “Manchurian Effect”. Here there is no substance in the image that has been created. It is a mirage or a false reflection of who someone is or what someone else requires them to be.
The problem is this image only last, until the next trend. Then, these people will be cast aside as the next image is created to meet the need of the next cultural paradigm.
This is not what God intended when He created mankind. In fact, this is in direct opposition to the scriptural precept, “you are uniquely and wonderfully made”.
We must decide who we are going to be as a person. Then we must be the best version of ourselves we can be. We are the ones who must decide, will my image be one created by man, for man or will I understand, I am created in the image of God, to live for God?
If we are truly image bearers, we need to let our image be all He imagined it would be!
Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
