The Christian life often feels like this: two steps forward and one step back.

What does it mean to be created in the image of God? As soon as I type the words, imperfect metaphors come to mind told by imperfect people like myself trying to say what we mean.

If only we could image God correctly, we have the power to change the world. Someone did it at least once and – by dying on a cross, by giving up his very self to scatter to the wind like seeds – he gave us all the power to follow after him and do likewise. Too many times, I think we look at Jesus and think – whew, good thing that’s all over. God had one son and now we get to believe in him and get a free pass to heaven.

Seriously, does anyone actually read the Bible? What God offers is so much better than that.

Elsewhere in Scripture, it says, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19)

That’s how important this likeness is. According to the Bible, all of creation is waiting for us to really see it and really get it, to live it out. So, what does it mean? What is God really like – and in what ways are we like reflections of that divine will who made us?

Whether or not we realize it, we are all children of God. Whether or not we show it. Each of us in our own way have the power to change the world. There is no unimportant, no insignificant human being on this planet. Those are not empty, feel-good words. It’s a fact. Our divine origins form the basic building blocks of the universe, in all of its dynamic complexity.

So many times, I hear people ask how can the finite stand in the presence of the infinite? How can almighty God permit our choices and actions to matter? Well, almighty God can and will do whatever pleases Her. That’s how.

Come on. We can do this. We are none of us powerless. We always have choices. They may not be great choices, but they matter.

In fact, as sure as I know anything, I know that ultimately there is only one choice that matters – and this is it.