“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).

Have you ever wondered why God created us in his image? What does that even mean?

Back in the 80’s I traveled to Syria when Hafez al-Assad was the dictator of the country. After landing at the airport at Damascus, we all went to the baggage area to wait for our bags. At the entry point of all the bags there was a portrait of Hafez al-Assad. I didn’t think anything of it.

Then after getting my bag, I went to get on the hotel bus to take me to the hotel. As I entered the bus, right on the top of bus driver was a portrait…of Hafez al-Assad…you couldn’t miss it as you entered the bus. I thought, “What a strange place to put the portrait of their leader.”

We got to the hotel and right behind all the check in agents was a huge portrait. Guess who? Yup. Hafez al-Assad.

I got on the elevator to get to my room. On the elevator was a portrait. Yup. Assad.

I got to my room and thought to myself, I better not see a picture of Assad in my room! I opened the door and a portrait greeted me. Yup. Assad.

His portrait was everywhere! You couldn’t escape it.

You know what his portrait was saying to every single person who was in Syria? His portrait was declaring, “This is my country. My rules. My kingdom.” Your American passport and your American ways will get you nowhere in this country.

You know God created us in his image? Every time people see Christians they are supposed to say, “Ahhhh….this is God’s country. God’s rules. God’s kingdom.”

Everywhere we go, everywhere we are, we are to be a constant reminder to the people around us who’s kingdom they are living in and who’s rules we are to follow.

Get it?

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

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Sometimes people ask me what God’s will is for them. They are not sure of God’s purpose for their lives. The question gets asked of me particularly by people who are home-bound due to their physical condition. They are no longer able to serve God with their bodies. They are no longer able to drive and do the things they used to be able to do in the past. So people wonder, what am I good for? Why am I still here?

The verbs “encourage’ and “build up” are written in the present tense imperative.

• Present tense – never ending, on-going
• Imperative – command, order

Whether you have a healthy body or not, this verse applies to all of us. All of us have the capacity to encourage and build up the people around us.

So, today, take a look at your schedule for the day. Who are you going to meet today? Who are you going to talk with today? Who are you going to come across today?

Your job, should you choose to accept (Mission Impossible analogy – just saw the movie!), is to be an encouragement to the people you will encounter today. Your job is to build up the people you will see today.

That might be your spouse, your co-workers, the cafeteria lady, the coffee shop barista, your helper at home, your children. Whoever you are going to come across today, you have the capacity to make their day better by encouraging them and building them up because God loves that person so much God died for them.

Can you do that for Jesus? These are people for whom he paid the ultimate price on the cross.

So, who are you going to bless and encourage today?

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

I don’t know of a single person who wants to be unhappy. I don’t know anyone who desires a miserable life. Every single person I know wants to be happy and live life with joy and purpose.

Everyone wants to win in life. If that is the case, why are so many people unhappy? miserable? Are you happy with the way things are going in your life right now? Are you contented?

God tells us that everyone is running the race of life. If we are going to run the race of life, run in such a way as to get the prize. The key phrase in our verse is “in such a way.” So, what does that mean? What is the key to unlocking a life of joy and purpose? How can we run the race of life “in such a way” as to win the prize?

People I know who are happy have a trait that I do not see in people who are unhappy. People who are happy, joyful, and living life with purpose are people who know how to sacrifice what they want now for what they want eventually. People who are happy, joyful, and living life with purpose know how to live a disciplined life. They are not driven by impulse nor immediate gratification.

Happy, joyful, and purposeful people live with the end in mind. They do what it takes to achieve their goals. They have a plan and they stick to the plan.

Which of these lives describes you? Do you have a goal in mind? Do you have a plan? Are you sticking to the plan?

Happy, joyful, and purposeful people know how to sacrifice what they want now for what they want eventually.

Be clear on your goal. Make a plan. Stick to the plan.