THE IMAGE VERSUS THE PERSON – PART ONE
How Did You See ME?
This is an unanswered question in the majority’s mind. Answered by actions; Unanswered by Voice!
Opinions count I must confess but it seems to me that there are two (2) that matters: (1) THE CREATOR and (2) HIS OBJECT OF CREATION; YOU and ME.
If we begin to put up a front that reads “Accept me, accept me, I’m craving for acceptance…” we end up pushing away those we meant to attract. Also if we move to the end of the continuum and we read “I don’t need you, I’m all I Need” it will end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy of a lonely life with a manipulated and manipulative spirit. Balance is synonyms to Maturity and that is what we are to seek. We all need ourselves and others to be who we are created (meant) to be. We can NEVER be who we are meant to be ALONE – We need somebody. Nevertheless, “decorating” our IMAGE without improving our PERSON will leave us with only one “beautiful” thing – a MASQUERADE.
What we have and what we can do (our Images), will be taken from us leaving us with the most important – Who We Are. If who we are, is the only thing that will outlive our life here on Earth, then WHO ARE YOU? What do you want to be remembered for – an IMAGE or a PERSON?
An Image is what we put up for people to see; this is not who you really are, it’s just the “Image” of the real person. Sometimes the IMAGE is the same as the PERSON but Many times (if not all the time), the PERSON is far-too far- from the projected image.
Nowadays, the world and even the church is plagued with IMAGES: Images in Government Houses, Images in Managerial and “leadership” positions, Images in Presidential Villa; Images behind the pulpit; (…this is how a Pastor should act, this is how a Deacon should talk, this is how the choir should dance etc.), images in the pew (…our denomination don’t shout, don’t talk in this place, excitement is not “spiritual,” it’s ”canal or fleshy”; you can’t say “Hello” it is always “God Bless you…”); Images in our Deacon Board, in the Church committee, in the Board of Ministers, in the Board of HOD’s e.tc. Images of all kind, in all form of positions, at home and in school, in the Bus and on the road – IMAGES. Images major on “how” things are to be done not necessarily on “WHO” are doing ‘WHAT’. It majors on “How am I seen” not “who am I” or “am I walking in truth to my innate calling?”
Know this: Performance, cannot replace Principle – what we are inwardly overwhelms anything we may do outwardly.
The PERSON is more important than the shadow, so also the “WHO” is much more relevant than the “HOW” or “WHAT”. Listen, even though how things is done and what things are done have their places in effective ministry or productivity, nevertheless I believe that the PERSON that does the work is more important than the work that the person does. Because the belief system of the Man that does a thing inevitably determines the output that he/she produces.
Jesus died not for us to conform to His Image only but first and foremost to grow up into the fullness of His person in stature, action, knowledge and “IMAGE”. The people of Israel were destroyed for creating and worshipping an Image rather than a REAL PERSON because God is not an Image; HE IS A PERSON. He wants us to be like Him in PERSON. If people cannot accept you for your person (i.e. who you are); when you are only respected for your position, titles or performances, then you are a pretty small package.
One of 3 things should be considered in respect to people’s acceptance i) who you are needs improvement and necessary change in choices, actions and orientations ii) who you think you are is not yet real (substantial) enough to convince others to follow you iii) the people don’t know who they are themselves so they are seeking to conform you to who they think you should be.
If you choose NOW to become real without putting on a façade, who will you become?
Jesus will say to some people in the end of time: “I DON’T KNOW YOU” meaning He does not KNOW who they are (or who they’ve become) because they care much about what people see and say about them than what God says.
In the Eyes of the All-seeing-God, in front of whom all things are plain and true: WHO ARE YOU REALLY? And ARE YOU REAL?
By: MinistaMike™