The fingerprints of an Icon.
One particularly tough morning, I sat at the edge of the bed hating and cursing at myself in the mirror hanging on the wall. Furious at myself for STILL struggling in life, and upset with the wrinkles telling the story of a rough past many years, I smacked the mirror out of anger and distress. As upsetting as the daily reminder became, seeing this smudged handprint each time I checked out my chosen top or the progress of my summer tan, I left it. But I didn’t know why.
A couple months passed, as time always does. It had just turned to early autumn, the transition to which I had apparently missed while still daily sporting the summer yoga top I wore for kayaking. The morning light peeking through the blinds had shifted, making the handprint vividly more evident than it had been previously.
I studied it for a few minutes from the side of my unmade bed, contemplating the complexity of the tiny lines of ashen white composing the outline of what was, unmistakably, my hand print. And it occurred to me that what remained from that day of darkness earlier in the summer, was, in a way, part of my image.
The smudged print was easy to recognize as my own, due to the length of the fingers compared to the palm (an attribute since I play piano btw). Just as how easily identifiable the prints would be should they be run through an FBI database, my true image and intrinsic features are uniquely, unequivocally, iconically me.
Icons are typically people who break social, political and other barriers because their image or impact is so captivating and noteworthy. (Think Michael Phelps, the President, Jordan, Nike brand, Madonna, and Christian Dior.) We tend to idolize icons, as they set the bar for idealized societal “perfection”, whether that be by their outward success, fame, or appearance.
But the word “icon” actually comes from the greek word ikon, which means image. The term symbolizes someone or something that is outstanding or has special meaning to it. An icon evokes an image of individuality, mastership, and of high quality.
Yet, and sadly, society of today has escalated and narrowed the true meaning, rendering it applicable only to those of extreme influence or social popularity, which are of perceived value, rather than reflective of the true, intrinsic magnificence of one’s authentic image.
So then what does image truly mean?
When we think about our image, what comes to our thinking first is our reflection in the mirror, or what we look like in a photograph.
But physical appearance is only one part of your image. It is one of a myriad ways that we express who we are (or think we are) to those around us. Our outward portrayed image is the collection of external messages that we communicate (intentionally or not) about our inner selves. We communicate these messages through everything from actions and speech, to our lifestyle, values, and hobbies.
Though we often narrow the idea of “image” to physique, we actually come closest to understanding the complexity of the concept when it’s considered in the context of “self-image”.
Our self-image reflects what we believe to be true about ourselves. It is greatly influenced by our experiences and the social “ideals” that we too-often compare ourselves against.
To quote the Cleveland Clinic:
“Self-image is an “internal dictionary” that describes the characteristics of the self, including such things as intelligent, beautiful, ugly, talented, selfish, and kind. These characteristics form a collective representation of our assets (strengths) and liabilities (weaknesses) as we see them.”
Our outer image is formed from this inner image — from our inner thoughts about ourselves, experiences and core values. And what we see in the mirror may be a real or distorted view of who we really are.
The style of your hair, veneers closing the gap between your front teeth, and decision to draw on a few fake freckles or pierce your nose may seem at the surface to be merely a superficial visual element of who you are as a person. But they also represent decisions about how you choose to express your character and personality.
The inherent details of your physique (those that include the intricacies of your fingerprints and the length of your eyelashes) are the decisions God made in your stead and without your involvement, wisely matching and enabling the personality He genetically manufactured in you.
But He also made you in His image.
In the midst of all of our own labels, titles, accomplishments, physical size and shape, relationships, and views of ourselves (correct or distorted), we need to remember that the most fundamental aspect of our true indentiry is that we were “created in the image of God.”
This concept of Imago Dei (the Latin translation of “Image of God”) originates from the book of Genesis, wherein the Bible explains, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27, ESV).
And, per Genesis 1:31, He was pleased with His masterful creation!
This doesn’t include just the length of your lashes or Roman toes though…
To God, image means far more than physical appearance; it means character, and includes all aspects of your being. God builds Character. People build what we call “images”.
This Concept of Imago Dei vastly includes:
We mirror Gods attributes
We speak like God (we communicate like He communicates)
We live like God, made up of a body, soul, and spirit like Him
We are to love like God
We create anew like God, through expression, invention, and procreation.
Our capabilities to mirror His attributes have been thoughtfully crafted into a unique bundle of character traits, and packaged in a distinctive shell of skin, physical features and expressions. (Psalm 139:13-14)
How you further develop Gods creation and design of your character, and how you alter your outward appearance, behaviors, and interactions (parts of your worldly “image”) are meant to be powerful representations of the true, inside you to the outside world.
If your image is a false representation of who you are and want to be, it can lead you to terrible places. A false image destroys marriages, ruins friendships, winds us up in careers we are unhappy with, and creates internal unrest.
On the other hand, the beauty of your true (entire) image is that it encompasses and showcases to the world your uniqueness and value. Only the very specific combination of characteristics, skills, capabilities, God-given gifts, and life experiences that create YOU can fill YOUR place and purpose in this world.
So does the image you portray and the image of God’s design for you match up?
Everyone can be an icon of beauty, inspiration, and character… if they will just be who they really are.
