Open Your Eyes and See God’s Image and Likeness!


“Would you like to see the Lord?”
Eknath Easwaran, Timeless Wisdom


In his book Timeless Wisdom, Eknath Easwaran shares a childhood story involving a New Year’s Day tradition in his homeland of India. He says that every New Year’s Eve, while most of the family is sleeping, someone erects a shrine made of “yellow flowers, brassware, gold jewelry, ripe fruit, lighted oil lamps” and garlands.

On New Year’s Day, the family is then led to the shrine—eyes closed—and asked “Would you like to see the Lord?” They are then invited to open their eyes: “and shining in the midst of this bright setting” each individual sees his/her own face reflected through glass.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are all unique reflections of the image and likeness of God— especially when we’ve screwed-up in some way and we’re really being hard on ourselves.

Today, when you look in the mirror, remember that you are seeing the Lord reflected back to you in your own unique representation of the image and likeness of God. Be kind and respectful to yourself in light of this revelation.

In addition, remember that in everyone you encounter today you are seeing the Lord. Everyone you see is reflecting the image and likeness of God to you. Be kind and respectful to them as well.

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