Whose image do you reflect?

We’ve all been hearing a lot about politics and the running of our government lately. The Republicans think that the Democrats are irresponsible; the Democrats think that the Republicans are lacking compassion. Neither side wants to compromise or see the other’s perspective. Neither side wants to budge. Both sides claim that God is on their side.

I’m not going to argue politics here. I look at the life of Jesus and I don’t seem him involving himself in politics much. He was less concerned with systems and organizations than he was with people. He saw people. He saw their hearts and their hurts and their sheer humanity. The one comment he did make about politics was this:

         “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Matthew 22:21

The Pharisees had asked him if it was okay to pay taxes to Rome or not. Rome was a vile, evil government, and the people were suffering under her rule. Jesus knew the Pharisees concern wasn’t for the people, called them hypocrites, and asked them to bring him a coin. He asked whose image was on the coin. It was a picture of Caesar. Give to Caesar that which bears his image, and give to God that which bears HIS image.

Pay your taxes, and value people.

Who bears the image of God? We do. In Genesis, we are created in the very image of God. All of us. Because we are human, we bear in some aspect the image of our God. Regardless of what you believe about God, or how you treat people, or how you live your life, you are created in his image. You are precious to him. When he looks at you, he sees a little of himself reflected back.

This has great significance for the follower of Jesus. You can choose to be involved in politics or not; you have no choice but to value people. People are hurting, and the response of the corporate Church and of the individuals who make it up must be one of compassion. And for the most part it is. I have been so touched by the people who have reached out to me with offers to help pay for my medications. I have experienced firsthand the love of God through his people.

But I have also been appalled at the anger and vitriol I have heard expressed over the politics of the day. There is no love expressed in the accusations against politicians. There is no love in accusing the poor of being crooks, who only want to milk the system. There is no love in the generalizations that see people as statistics and forgets that they are fathers who are watching their children endure illnesses without health care, or mothers who put their kids to bed hungry. We all say that we are willing to help if we knew someone who was hungry, but nearly 25% of children in our city, Vancouver, WA, live below the poverty level. It is estimated that 40,000 children in our state will go to bed hungry tonight. 1,600 people in our city are homeless. This is right here in our town. Do we see these people? Or are they just statistics, an ill to be cured? We tend to trust organizations to take care of these people, but due to the economy, many are unable to meet the need. The Lord’s Gym, a major contributor to helping people who need help, is closing due to lack of money and a building with overwhelming needs for repair.

Jesus said that he came to reach the sick and the lost. That’s all of us. It’s you and me. It’s the homeless and the poor. We have to open our eyes and our hearts to see and love those around us.

What can you do? What has God blessed you with that you can share? Programs need money. Mothers who depend on Headstart need childcare so that they can work while the government is shut down. People without jobs need food, and grace from landlords. The homeless youth at the mall needs at least a smile, and the knowledge that you see him. God wants to work through you, his hands and feet. What can you do? At the very least, you and I can be careful about what we say and post on Facebook, being sure that our words don’t blame those who need our compassion.