Week 3 - Imago Dei - Dan Arant

We have all been there. Whether it’s a missed deadline at work, a failed diet, or (in the case of Dan’s daughter, Roslin) a missed layup at basketball practice. The frustration boils over, and the internal monologue begins: “I’m terrible. I’m no good at this. Why do I even try?”

In this week’s devo, Dan Arant (VP of Sales at BMFA) shared this story to highlight a profound truth: the way we talk to ourselves matters, but the foundation of our identity matters even more.

If we want to find lasting happiness and a healthy sense of self-worth, we have to look past our own performance and toward the original design of our Creator.

The Architecture of Our Thoughts

When Roslin became discouraged on the court, Dan gave her a crucial piece of advice. He noted that studies show that negative self-talk—phrases like "I'm worthless" or "I'm a failure"—actually creates physical "wirings" in the brain. Over time, these neural pathways harden, and we begin to see ourselves only through the lens of our mistakes.

However, there is a paradox at play. While it is important to speak kindly to ourselves, Dan pointed out that thinking too much about ourselves is actually a recipe for unhappiness. When we are the center of our own universe, every failure feels like a catastrophe. The solution isn't just "positive thinking"; it’s a shift in perspective.

The Original Poem: Genesis 1

To understand our true value, we have to go back to the beginning. Dan describes Genesis Chapter 1 not just as a historical account, but as a masterpiece of poetry written by Moses.

In this "creation poem," we see a rhythmic pattern. God creates the light, the sky, the seas, and the creatures, and after each act, He declares it "good." But the rhythm changes when He reaches His final masterpiece.

"Let us make man in our image, in our likeness." — Genesis 1:26

When God created humanity—male and female—He didn't just call them "good." He looked at all He had made and declared it "very good." This unique declaration was reserved specifically for us.

What is the Imago Dei ?

The theological term for this is Imago Dei, or the "Image of God." Unlike the stars, the trees, or the animals, humanity was designed to be a reflection of the Creator Himself.

This changes everything about how we view our worth:

• Value is inherent: Your worth is not a result of your "layups" or your career success.

• Value is objective: It is based on what God says about you, not what you feel about yourself.

• Value is universal: Because every person is made in this image, every person possesses an unshakable dignity.

Shifting the Focus

The message is clear: we find our greatest joy when we think less of ourselves and more of what God thinks of us. When we realize we are "very good" because of our Creator, we are freed from the constant need to prove ourselves to the world.

This realization doesn't just change our internal world; it transforms our external relationships. If we truly believe that every human being carries the Imago Dei, we are compelled to treat everyone—our spouses, our children, our coworkers, and even our enemies—with dignity, worth, and value.

The takeaway? Stop listening to the "wirings" of your own discouragement. Instead, listen to the voice of the Creator who made you to reflect His glory. You aren't defined by your performance; you are defined by His image.