Relationships Are Tough
Relationships are tough. If relationships were easy, everyone would be getting along and there would be no arguments or reasons to be totally ticked off at __________ (you fill in the blank).
One of the most formidable obstacles we have in any relationship is self-image. For some, their self-image may just be a speed bump type challenge, for others it becomes a hurdle, and still for others a solid wall.
As children, self-image was really no big deal. We were. When you consider kids and children, they just are. Most will wear what they like to wear, are happy when they look nice, but rarely let themselves get in the way of their relationships with others. Can you remember such a time? This is, of course, before puberty. Somewhere in the mystery of adolescence and those strange teen years, we become self-aware and gain a new perspective of ourselves.
I wonder if this is what Adam and Eve went through in the garden when they suddenly became self-aware, realized they were naked and needed to sew leaves together for covering. They had a new self-image and it immediately became an obstacle in their relationship with God – they hid from him.
Strange. They knew Him all along, but now due to their sin, disobedience, and a new awareness of their self-image, they hid themselves. They saw their sin. They recognized their flaws. The ugliness of evil corrupted their perfect image, their recognition of their imperfection polluted their self-image, and their response was to hide.
One of their most formidable obstacles in their relationship with God was their self-image. To compensate, they hid from Him. Whether this was a speed bump, a hurdle, or a solid wall depends on your perspective to their situation. Some may say it was a minor speed bump, as God forgave them and clothed them; others may say it was a solid wall, as the unity between God and man was shattered, a huge obstacle.
Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, as shown in Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” When Adam and Eve reflected God’s image, there was no problems in their relationship with God and there was unity. When they sinned, they began reflecting their own, fallen image, and it became an obstacle.
To overcome this fallen image, God calls us to be transformed and reflect His image. Paul talks about this in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
We are called to be like Jesus Christ and to be transformed into His image. Wouldn’t it be nice if we got to know Him, too?
I firmly believe the closer we get to reflecting the image God gave us, the less the obstacles in our relationships resemble a wall and become more like a speed bump. Our challenge: How do we move closer to this divine image? I am exploring that process now… obviously, I’m not quite there, but I’m working through it.
Join me. I will continue to share on my blog what I find out. I doubt it will be easy. I doubt I will get it right the first time. But, I think the end result will be worth it.
What do you think?
Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
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The series: “Relationships Are Tough”, “Self Branding”, “The Brand Experience”, “Maverick”, “A Masterpiece”.
