“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God ne created him; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
Genesis 1:27 & 31a
A month of Winnie the Pooh inspired devotions comes to a close this week. The first week we looked at what being a true friend looks like. Next up was a reminder that Jesus will be with us always. Last week Christopher Robin wanted Pooh and us to remember that we are braver, stronger and smarter than we realize. This week’s quote comes from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Pooh is getting ready to have a little bite of honey you see, but first a little exercise is order, rather than turn on the stereo (does Pooh have a stereo?) for music to exercise to he just sings a little exercise song to himself. One line of the song goes: “I’m short, fat and proud of that.” Pooh is a very authentic sort of bear, he is quite aware of where his short comings lie, but he seems to be quite comfortable in his own skin and that is something many of us can learn from.
This week’s passage takes us all the way back to the beginning to remind us that we have been made in the very image of God and that all that God made including us was good. I think what happens in chapter 3 of Genesis; messed up how the world sees us and we humans look at ourselves and others. See we are all pretty good at comparing our outsides with the outsides of others. Women are particularly good at it, but guys are not immune. However, God still sees us the way He made us and frankly He’s more interested in how we look on the inside anyway. Samuel one of God’s prophets is instructed for anointing the new king: “Do not consider his appearance or his height… Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Paul tells Timothy not to worry about his age (1 Timothy 4:12).
Real beauty – the kind of beauty that will last, comes from deep within, from a heart transformed by the mercy and grace of an amazing God. Sometimes, a beautiful outward appearance can hide a very messy life, a life filled with darkness and self doubt. I wonder if any of those “Beautiful” people ever look at us ordinary folks and wish they were more like us – probably so. This week I want to encourage you to be comfortable in your skin, whatever it looks like, whatever age it is, however is feels – God made you and that means you are great just the way you are.
Let’s join pooh in his song by making it our own. I’m (you fill in the blank) and proud of that.
A Prayer
Father – You have made us in your image and called it very good. Help us this week and every day after to be comfortable with whom you have created us to be. Help us not compare ourselves to some unrealistic idea the world has created. Most of all give us beautiful hearts, filled with your mercy and grace. Let our lives overflow with the beauty of compassion for those around us. Thank you again that a simple children’s story about a “silly old bear” and his friends can teach us that whether we are short and fat or tall and skinny, young or old we can be proud of who you have made us to be. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
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