Where’s the God-Light?

James 3:9: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

Dolly Parton has been making recent headlines regarding a “health crisis.” Her sister took to social media, prompting concern and prayers, ending her post with what seemed like a send-off: “Godspeed, sweet sister.” Dolly soon reassured everyone that she was, in fact, okay—sick, but okay.

Now, I don’t know about you, but if my sister stirred up that kind of whirlwind on social media, I might be a little frustrated. Thinking about what was happening behind the scenes between those two sisters reminded me of something Dolly said years ago in an interview:

“Well, I just try to find the god-light in everyone I meet.”

She went on:

“We’re all pieces of God and we all have that little God-light inside us. Some don’t get to let it shine. If I don’t see it first out, I’d go searching. That’s how I accept everybody because I know that we’re all pieces of God.”

Now, some of you may not be Dolly fans—and that’s okay. But what she said about the “god-light” carries weight. What Dolly was describing is Imago Dei, a biblical truth. Genesis 1:27 tells us:

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

The “god-light” Dolly speaks of? That’s the Image of God in all of us.

That person you cannot stand? Created in God’s image. The person who holds a completely different viewpoint than you? Created in God’s image. In each of them shines a very real, present “god-light.”

We are so divided right now. We focus on differences, yet at our core, there is an ever-present light. Who is created in God’s image? The answer is simple: everyone. Black, white, gay, straight, Democrat, Republican, Muslim, Buddhist, convict, priest, king, pauper, homeless, disabled, adored—all of us.

Friends, let us look beyond the hate to see the good, instead of looking beyond the good to find the hate. In all of us is a light. What if, in every circumstance, we deliberately sought the Imago Dei—the Image of God—in others? How different might this world be?

To put it plainly: you cannot love God and dismiss His creations. They are inseparable. As John 13:34-35 says:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

If Dolly isn’t your cup of tea, let this be your first chance to experience Imago Dei. Where in Dolly can you see the “god-light”? Where in others can you recognize the heart of Jesus? Above all, God wants you to see and experience that light in yourself and in others—now and forevermore.

Thought question: Who can you look past the bad and see the good in today? Even more, can you share with that person what you see?

Prayer:
Father, we are Yours. All of us. Help us to see one another as the brothers and sisters we are. With You, all things are possible, and through You, we can uphold the commandments You so lovingly gave us. Today, help me to see people the way You see them. Lord, give me Your eyes. Amen.