Made in his Imagemp3

On my desk sits an old cross, two pieces of gnarled wood roughly held together by a nail. It’s there, amongst the photos of my family and the various pieces of work, to remind me that my primary identity is in Jesus Christ. If I was asked, as the BBC series likes to do, ‘Who do I think I am?’ My first answer should not be a theologian, a husband, a father, a colleague or friend, but simply a child of God.

It’s the opening chapter of the book of Genesis that tells me this: “So, God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This verse was written at a time when most people thought the only bearer of the divine image was the King. He alone had the right to that description, and more often that not would use it to claim authority over his subjects. Yet in one short statement, such privilege is swept aside. The imago Dei (image of God) teaches us that everyone bears the divine image. Before the Lord of the universe, no-one has special status, no-one comes first, but all are equally subject. In God’s perspective, which surely is the only one that matters, we are all on the same level.

But in addition, it tells us something deeply significant about where we should locate our identity. It rests in our relationship with God. These thoughts struck me as I tuned in to Thursday night’s Dana: the 8 year old anorexic. The program followed Dana as she spent 12 weeks in a special clinic for eating disorders. We watched as week by week Dana rediscovered what a normal relationship with food looks like, and so put on weight slowly but surely. After three months, Dana went home, and as the film ended, her weight was restored. However, the question that remained was whether Dana’s issues had really been sorted. The underlying cause of her anorexia did not seem to have been identified, let alone addressed. And one of the nurses who had been looking after her commented that though she hoped Dana would now be fine, she wasn’t certain that she would be.

We may be shocked that someone as young as eight could be affected in this way, but just this week I heard of a six year old girl, with a perfectly appropriate weight, who was deeply upset because another six year old described her as fat. This is what happens when our identity resides in anything other than the God who created us. For whether we are six or sixty, if we locate our sense of value and worth in our wealth, our positions of power, our achievements, our looks and how others perceive us or anything else other than God, we will always be disappointed.

Constantly striving after a fictional perfectionism where we think we’ll find just the right image, or just the right job, or just the right salary, or even just the right relationship will always prove futile. God’s message to us is entirely different. It is not what we are striving for that will provide security, but where we began. Made in his Image is the only branding we should seek, as it’s the only one that ultimately matters, and it’s the only one that we need.

Justin Thacker, Head of Theology

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If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you may be interested in this course run at Holy Trinity Brompton. www.htb.org.uk/id