Attitude & Altitude

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is much more to a human being than our connection to the animal kingdom. While the bumper sticker about pets may be seeking to better the treatment of animals, I would personally be insulted if my dog put a banner on her kennel which read, "People are dogs too!"

I believe it is absolutely essential that we understand what kind of beings we are before we can become all we were meant to be. That Kansas farmer's chicken yard might have had a sign saying, "Eagles are birds too," but there's so much more to being an eagle than hopping around a chicken coop! While it is true that we human beings are technically a part of the animal kingdom, there is much more to being human than hopping around the animal kingdom!

WHAT IMAGE DO WE BEAR? Of all the good times and surprises I ever enjoyed with my Mastiff “Tiny”, I never had the experience of seeing him retire at the end of a rigorous day and say, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray Thee Lord, my soul to keep..." In other words no creature in all of creation, with the exception of a man, can turn its heart heavenward and say, "There must be more than this." That is because we bear a very special image that no other creature bears.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

There are three crucial truths that come from this one passage. If we are to experience life as it was intended to be (positive living), we will need to affirm these three truths:

1. I am created in the image of God!

2. I am essentially a spiritual being!

3. I am created for a relationship with God!

It does not take a genius to realize that we have lost our way when it comes to these three truths. Notice that if you remove these truths, the bumper sticker would suddenly be correct, "Pets are people too." Without this foundation for living, human beings would simply be another species in the animal kingdom.

CAN WE FIND OUR WAY BACK HOME? One of the most significant things Jesus Christ ever said was, "I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly!" On the surface, you might ask, "What was He talking about? I already have life!" But, look a little deeper. Jesus also said, "I am the way the truth and the life..." THE life means life the way God designed it to be. It is the life that comes from recognizing that we were created in God's image, which makes us spiritual beings, so we were made for a relationship with God. Here is the central point ... In order to have energy (power) for positive living as long as we live we need to begin with a Declaration of Dependence!Note I didn’t say “Independence”

You and I are limited, mortal beings. We were not designed to "run" forever. God is unlimited and eternal. The "Good News" is that He invites us to come to Him for energy for positive living.

If we are to grow physically, we need to take in nourishment. The same principle applies to our intellectual and emotional life. We need nourishment and encouragement for every dimension of our lives. The same rule holds true for our spiritual growth. We need nourishment and encouragement from God himself. That "spiritual food" is found in part as He speaks to us in scripture. Have you ever wondered what shape your marriage would be in if you gave your wife the same amount of effort you give to your relationship with God?