Visiting our young grandson halfway across the country for the first time, he and I sat on the couch working in his bible sticker book . . . both of us loving every minute! As his pudgy sometimes uncooperative young fingers worked very hard to get the stickers into the prescribed places, he looked up at me and beamed when he finished each one.

Perfect, I said, as he finished another one. Perfect . . . your sticker is perfect!

His little eyes danced as he listened again to this new word and then with a grin, he formed both syllables . . . per-fect, he exclaimed! And again, per-fect! Very proud of himself at this new accomplishment, he rehearsed his new word throughout the weekend as we planted flowers, played with his trucks and trains, and read books.

And as we hugged before I left, I whispered, perfect, you are absolutely perfect!

For all of us are image bearers from birth, holders of the Imagio Deo of our Creator God. God’s imprint is lovingly planted within each human being and lies in wait for us to release it to the world.

When humans get it right through faith, in trust and in obedience to God, it is a beautiful thing as God shines through us.

When humans get it terribly wrong, refuse to admit it is there and allow all manner of worldly temptations and evil to bury God’s image, it can be a horrible thing.

Oh may we each realize the potential lying within our souls and eagerly release it into God’s hands, listening for His whisper to us His children . . . perfect, child you are perfect.

And in that proclamation over us, may we sense God’s deep love for us and God’s willingness to dwell mightily within each of us.

I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus, the Anointed, our Liberating King, returns to redeem the world.  Philippians 1:6, The Voice