Images have been used from earliest times to tell stories, document history, and convey messages. They have the power to elicit thoughts, initiate ideas, and make us feel a vast range of emotions anywhere from joy to horror to delight or disgust. A simple photo can advocate a cause, share a celebration, and inspire the heart. One picture alone is powerful enough to motivate an entire group of people to action.
People everywhere use photos—even politicians. I was interested to learn recently as I watched a PBS documentary on the Power of Famous Faces, that Abraham Lincoln was one of the first of U.S. politicians to leverage the use of photography to get his image known to the people. Lincoln credited, in part, the success of his election to President by making his face familiar to the masses through the use of printed photos.
As I watched that PBS documentary, I felt the Lord speaking. God, too, uses the power of an Image to make Himself known to the world—to motivate mankind to action, that being, to receive His love. His image is seen in the face of Jesus (2 Cor. 4:6). And as Christ lives in us, we are the photo of God’s face to the world. Stop and think about that for a moment. The word “face” includes “the look” or countenance that reflects the inward thoughts and feelings. God makes His innermost thoughts and feelings toward us known in the face of Jesus. And He makes His thoughts toward others around us through us! We, as the body of Christ, are a picture of God’s face to the world.
I paused and thought, Lord, I hear what You are saying. I want Your face to be seen through me in a way that:
- inspires others with hope
- elicits in them thoughts of Your goodness
- helps them to feel Your joy over them
- conveys Your empowering message
- promotes Your ideas to them
- motivates them to actions of faith
Lord, I want to make Your face known to my community!
I have had many people in my life “show” me the Father by living as the image of the Son. That’s my prayer today, to be in His image and make His face familiar to the masses.
What face do you want others to see? Would love to hear your comments.
J Nicole – Abba’s daughter
pic by Sodahead.com
