2008
Kansas City Labor Day Weekend group shot. Right-click and select "View Image"
if you want to see it full size.
Image is Everything
Image is
an appearance that leads people to form an immediate impression. Image can also
be based on repeated instances of experience or actions that lead to a reputation.
Cities have an image. Sports franchises, schools, products, and corporations all
have an image. On my daily walk through our neighborhood I pass by scores of homes.
Some have nicely kept yards and, from the curb, seem to be appealing and pleasant.
Others, not so much. It's all a matter of image.
Image is
something, but is it everything?
I saw a cartoon some time
ago that pictured a doctor in an examination room telling his plump patient, "Mr.
Smith - you've got to get in shape." The patient's response was, "But
doctor, I have a shape - this is it. Round is a shape." Just as we all have
a shape, we also all have an image. What's your image?
Personal
image is important in the world of dating. We want people to like us, we want
to look our best and fit into a social group. We want to be known as interesting,
funny and fun-loving. Wanting others to think of us in a positive way isn't entirely
wrong. It's part of our image.
When we consider the word more
carefully, it turns out that the cliché is right - image really is everything.
The question is, "What is image?"
Sadly, many people
confuse appearance with image. If we superficially reject someone based on their
appearance, we may very well overlook a person of tremendous talent and value.
(If you've not heard of Susan Boyle, try doing an Internet search on her name
and you'll find a powerfully uplifting story.)
In Colossians
3, Paul helps us understand the value and importance of our personal image. The
subject is our need to change our nature. Paul uses the analogy of putting off
the "old man" and putting on a "new man" (verses 9-10). In
the Greek, the words translated "putting off" and "putting on"
literally have to do with a change of clothes. We're told to "put off"
the inappropriate, out-of-style, unfashionable "clothing" of our old
way of life and "put on" an updated, fashionably-correct wardrobe that
reflects the qualities and mind of Jesus Christ. In verse 10, he writes "[you]
have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge
according to the image of its creator" (New Revised Standard Version).
In
Paul's analogy, clothing is a metaphor for character. What we "wear"
is a projection of our image. The Greek word translated image is eikon, which
means profile, likeness or resemblance. Paul's point is that our image should
project a likeness of, or resemblance to, Jesus Christ.
The
English word "icon" is from derived this Greek word and is used in several
ways. One definition of icon is "a name, face, picture or symbol that is
readily recognized by most people to represent some well-known entities or attributes."
As Christians, our image should represent the attributes of Jesus Christ.
We
should reflect His standards and values outwardly in a way others can immediately
see by our example in conduct, language, grooming, friendliness, and genuine concern
for others. Those qualities aren't superficial or just for appearance. They are
an expression of the image of Jesus Christ as we "put on" the attributes
of character Paul described in Colossians 3.
As we present
ourselves to others in an acceptable manner on a social level, we should also
carefully concentrate on developing the "inward man." Because image
is everything.
" I used to have a handle on life,
but it broke."
