One of the most amazing truths in Scripture is that we are created in God's image.  Look how Genesis records it:  ²⁶Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  ²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:26-27 NIV 

What does it mean to be created it God's image and likeness?  If means many things, but one of the most amazing is our ability to learn and use language.  Our neighbors had a baby a few months ago, and already he is started to distinguish words from random sounds, to attend to the words, and to distinguish who is saying them.  Within two years, he will understand and use language, and by age five, he will be able to communicate effectively with those around him.  (What's really amazing is if he were exposed to several languages between now and then, he could speak and understand in each of them.) Why do I find that so amazing, and what do I lift that up among all the traits that distinguish us as being created in the image and likeness of God?  Because, even if you haven't met me, through language we may "connect."  Right now you may be reading this, and even if we haven't met, you know that God is important to me, that I believe something basic about human beings--that in some manner or manners we reflect God in our lives. 

Take some time today and notice how language sets us apart from the rest of God's creation.  Be creative--that's one of the other reflections of God's image in us!  As you do your experiments, you'll probably notice that you talk to or with yourself in analyzing situations, carrying out the experiments, and all the while you'll be demonstrating that you are like God once again.  Remember what God SAID in Genesis 1:26:   "Let us make..."  To whom was God speaking?  Himself  (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)! 

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thanks so much for creating us and for giving us language!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may be empowered to reflect Your image and likeness and to overcome the challenges sin will put in our way to do that.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.