What Does It Mean to Be Made in God’s Image?

[00:00:01] Jessica: Hey, friend. Welcome to Perspectives into Practice, a place where life's stories meet practical wisdom. Together, we'll explore how faith filled perspectives can transform the way we live, love, and grow. So grab a seat, settle in, and join us on this journey to turn inspiration into action. Let's dive in. Hey, friends, welcome back to Perspectives into Practice. I am so excited to be in today's conversation because it's one that's going to shape how we see ourselves, others, and how we live out our faith. We are talking about what it really means to be made in God's image. And joining me today is my sweet friend, Alyx. She is an incredible human being. A personal trainer. She runs an amazing online community all about health, fitness and Jesus. We met many years ago at a gym and I just love her so much. And we're having not one conversation, but two conversations together. So be sure to tune in next time. Alyx, Hi. I love this. Glad that you're here. So glad you're here. Before we dive in, I love to do a fun fact of my guest. So your fun fact is wild. At four years old, you were bitten by a snake. How did, how did this happen? [00:01:37] Alyx: So I was in the garden with mom. I was just following her around. She was, like, checking the tomatoes or whatever vegetables we had in the garden, you know, and just falling right behind her. Maddie, my sister, she was under the trampoline, hanging out in her little bouncy seat and just walking along. And this snake just comes up, bites me right underneath the knee. I just, I can still remember it to this day, like, being like, what in the world just happened? And then immediate, like, obviously crying and stuff. [00:02:03] Jessica: Oh, my gosh. [00:02:04] Alyx: Mom, like, turns around, she sees the snake slithering away. She, like, scoops me up, picks up Maddie. I don't know how she did it. Like, Wonder Woman brings us into the house and I'm just laying on the kitchen floor bawling. And, like, my knee is bleeding. And she's like, we gotta go to the hospital. So she's running around, dad's not home. Like, she throws us in the car. And we off to the hospital and find out it's just a little garden snake that they don't know. They, the doctors are like, probably there was a nest or something. I don't even know if snakes have nests. Some. Maybe they had babies because garden snakes usually aren't very, like, aggressive aggressive. So it was just a weird thing. I didn't have to get any shots, which was what I was most terrified at 4 years old because I Already been bitten. So I was like, great, here we go again. But I just had to take some medicine for a while. [00:02:52] Jessica: Oh, my goodness. [00:02:52] Alyx: Nothing bad happened. I didn't have to amputate my leg. [00:02:55] Jessica: So did you still work in the garden with mom after that, though? [00:02:58] Alyx: No. I was like, I'm not going back out there. [00:03:01] Jessica: She was probably like, yeah, that's fine. [00:03:04] Alyx: Yeah. Strangely enough, I'm not scared of snakes. Like, obviously, I don't want to be around them and. [00:03:08] Jessica: Sure. [00:03:09] Alyx: But I'm not like. I'm like, cool, you're great. Stay over there. I'll be over here. Thanks. [00:03:14] Jessica: That's right. That's exactly right. Oh, my goodness. Yeah. That is one of the things I always joke with my friends when we go hiking. I'm like, I've already called ahead, and they removed all the snakes, so we're. [00:03:25] Alyx: We're good. [00:03:25] Jessica: And they're like, you. You know, they don't do that. I'm like, they do for me. I've called. Don't worry. [00:03:30] Alyx: Absolutely. Yeah. Don't worry about it. I love it. [00:03:35] Jessica: All right, so let's talk about being made in God's image. This is something that we all hear in church. We hear it all over in Bible studies and. But I feel like it's something that we. We don't always stop to ask, what does that actually mean? What. What is. What does that actually mean? To be made in God's image. [00:03:58] Alyx: Yeah. So for me, I feel like this is something new. Me and the Lord have been walking in, like, I've always loved the Lord and. But my relationship with him the past few years has just been so intimate and so deep and so close. And he's, you know, it brings us from glory to glory and just brings us closer and closer to him as the more seek Him. And I feel like, especially in this past year, he's confirming my identity in Him. And so, like, reinforcing what it means to be made in his image has been, like, back to the beginning, like in Genesis, Like, God formed us. Like, he made us male and female. We made. We are made in his image. But also, what does that mean? What is. Is his image? It's beautiful. It's without flaw. Like, it's all over scriptures and proverbs and Song of Solomon. Like, just seeing that, like, he knit us together in our mother's womb. He was so intentional about creating us, who we are, and knowing, like, okay, this is my foundation. This is where I'm at. This is how I'm made. But in Jesus, as Well, and what he's done for us, like, covering our sins, like, this whole combination of stuff is what the Lord's just kind of been working on me as to it. Or, like, I alone am not perfect. I'm made to be perfect in Jesus. And so learning to live from that place instead of like, oh, man, like, I messed up or I said something I shouldn't have said, or, you know. You know, sin is in this world, but being like, man, I just messed up. I'm not perfect. We're not supposed to be perfect, but we actually get to be perfect when we are in Jesus. Yeah. And so being able to, like, rest in that and not strive for perfection, like, that is something that's been so. Like, wow. Because, you know, like, with everything, like, with school, with sports and stuff, like, if you're not perfect, you sit on the bench. If you're not. If you don't get the A. Like, you don't get to, you know, whatever. But, like, in Jesus, like, you get to rest, and you get to, like, just, like, rest. That is, like, the only word that I could come up with just to be. Because we are. He made us. Who? He made us, and we're perfect in his image. So, yeah, that's something that Love. [00:06:19] Jessica: Oh, I love that. So is there a moment in your life that this really became personal for you? [00:06:27]Alyx: Honestly, probably again this last year, like, growing up and in college and even, like, out of college a little bit. Like, I've always kind of been more of a quieter person, and I. How do you say this? Just, like, you know, like, I see somebody or see, like, you know, like, you can use Instagram, for example. You see people on Instagram. Oh, this person is this way. And that works for them. And they are. They. They just look so cool and stuff. And naturally, I would, like, almost try to gravitate and kind of take on. Okay. Like, bits and pieces of other people, I guess, if that's. Yeah, that makes sense. But, like, okay, I need to. [00:07:09] Jessica: I feel like that's something that we all do intentionally or unintentionally because we're like, that feels cool. Let's do that. Or that feels good. Yeah. [00:07:18] Alyx: Right. And that person liked and all this stuff. And then. So I. I honestly, it was not consciously, I don't think, but, like, subconsciously is putting all these things. Okay. I need to be like this and this. And, like, as. The more I was doing that is just kind of pushing Alyx deeper and deeper and to the point where I was like, you know, you don't feel comfortable in your own skin. You can't be. You can't be outgoing or you can't do things because you're living in fear, because you're not living your self and in your identity of who God created you to be. So this past year, it's been uncovering Alyx. Okay, what does Alyx want to do? What are Alyx's dreams? What are Alyx and Jesus's dreams? You know? [00:07:56] Jessica: Yeah. [00:07:56] Alyx: Like, what do. What has he put in my heart? Not what he has. He put in someone else's heart and I think looks cool. Like, he didn't put that on me and I'm not supposed to go that path. Like, he has his own path for me. And so this past year, like, with training and with made well, like, it's uncovering Alyx and the dreams that Jesus has put into my heart to make these things come out and be able to connect with people I would never been able to connect with or too scared to connect with because I'm trying to be someone else, you know. But it's definitely a process and nowhere near, like, perfect, you know. But, yeah, I. [00:08:37] Jessica: We're all a work in progress, but God is gracious and he is faithful and he will continue what he has started and. [00:08:44] Alyx: Oh, absolutely. [00:08:45] Jessica: I love to hear this from you because knowing you several years ago, like, and I know we've talked about this before before and, and seeing you and not in person because we travel, which is sad, but seeing you through social media, like, I feel like I really am seeing you again, which is just beautiful. It's been beautiful. And, like, brings tears to my eyes. I feel like little mama bear over here. So knowing this truth, how. How does that help you to see yourself better? Like, how do you see. See yourself? And how can someone else maybe start this process of knowing that they are made in God's image and walking in that. [00:09:31] Alyx: Yeah. Honestly, starting in the word, like, we have thoughts. We have a million thoughts about ourselves. And, like, so that just come through our heads all the time. Like, the first thing you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, like, what are you saying to yourself? What is the thoughts that are running through your mind? And I've caught myself, like, oh, my gosh, where. Why am I waking up? Just go, like, just getting after myself. [00:09:58] Jessica: Yeah. [00:09:59] Alyx: And I found, like, the more that I've been in the Word and the more that I am reading about, God says I'm loved. God says I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. God says he knit me together in my Mother's womb. Like all these verses that who he says I am in him, like replacing. And it is, it has to be especially like for me right now. It is a very conscious thing because if I'm not conscious of it, I won't do it. And I just go back, revert back to oh my gosh, like, why do I. Why is my face breaking out? Or why do I, you know, like all these different things. [00:10:29] Jessica: What's taking every thought captive? [00:10:32] Alyx: That's when you. [00:10:32] Jessica: And you have to be conscious about it. [00:10:34] Alyx: Yeah. [00:10:35] Jessica: Wow. [00:10:36] Alyx: And so that's. That is where I am very much like trying to be diligent about right now because I mean I do it for a couple days and like it. It gets a little bit easier. But then you, you know, like, if you like wake up and like I don't care, like whatever and just I'm not conscious about it, then it's kind of. It trickles throughout my day. It's kind of a spiral a little bit. So it's a, It's. That is where. And just being in the word to know what he says about you, like in having like two or three verses that you can just recalled to memory, like quickly, like when you are having a thought or something about yourself that that's not who God says I am. And yeah, that's helped me a lot, just especially like recently, you know, what's your. [00:11:25] Jessica: What's your go to verses? [00:11:28] Alyx: Fear not for I am with you. That is Isaiah 41:10. Like, that is my go to verse. Like, just knowing that he is with me, he is not leaving me and knowing that he is. You are fearfully and wonderfully made like that there's such intention in that that he didn't just like, like, you're made like, no. He's so intentional about how he makes each one of us. And remembering that, like that's so crazy and mind blowing that God who created literally everything was so intentional about who he wanted me to be. Like, quit. Like, I can't even get. Like, you can't wrap your head around that? No. [00:12:07] Jessica: And when you really think about it, it is like too much for us to. It's like to really comprehend. But we have to trust and know that God knew and knows everything way better than we even know ourselves. And it's just beautiful that we even get a chance to be part of his story, which is. No. Oh, just amazing. So going through this, you. You were talking about what, what how to. Things to do to help you to get to this realization. What are Some misunderstandings that you think that some women that you have seen are. Are believing or misunderstanding that just need some little guidance. [00:12:55] Alyx: Yeah, I would say. I think it goes back to the mindset of trying to be perfect, like we think. Or I personally have thought, like, in the past. Like, gosh, like, I know that I'm not supposed to do this, but I still continue to do this thing. Like, God's gonna be. He's gonna be so upset at me. He's gonna be like, he's gonna distance himself, like, all these things, and it's learning to live in the. In his grace. Like, we are gonna mess up. We are not perfect. Like, we are humans that we are still here on this earth. But that is why we have Jesus and being able to, when we do mess up or, you know, sin or whatever it is, like, instead of beating ourselves up and, like, distancing ourselves from God because He's not distinguishing Himself from us, like, it's actually coming to him, like, Lord, gosh, like, I did not want to respond that way, and I'm so sorry I did. And having that mindset and just remembering that he is coming towards us always in love and compassion, not with anger and not with, like, golly, like, why can't you get this right? We're not going to get it right. We're going to mess up all the time, you know, so that's why we have Jesus, that we get to just draw close to the Father and so just remembering, like, we're not perfect and we just, like, coming to him when we do sin or whatever it is, or, like, you know, and not running from him, which is so natural. Like, we get in, like, you know, when we're little and we get in trouble, like, what do we want to do? We want to go hide and not and distance ourselves when we mess up at, like, basketball game or something. Like, you want to, like, get as far away from your coach as you can because he's going to yell and scream at you, you know, and that's just a natural response, like, response. But that's not how our Father is. And so it's kind of untraining our minds to remember who he is and believe and have faith in who he is and that he's not. Like, it says his word. Like, he's not going to turn his back on us. He's not going to say, bye, peace out. Like he says, I'm with you. Like, yes. So just believing that. [00:15:01] Jessica: So, yes, yes. Because it's all about. I was just talking to Noah, my oldest. Today, it's all about a relationship with Him. It's not just about going through the motions, but it's a relationship. And when you have a relationship with your Heavenly Father, which He wants so, so much, it's. It's wanting to tell him the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's wanting to run to him when you're hurt. It's wanting to go there when you fail. It's wanting to be wrapped up in his arms when you know something doesn't go bad, doesn't go right, but it's also running to him when good things happen and like, oh, my goodness, Daddy, look what happened. Like, yeah, he wants that relationship. When we don't get that relationship, if, number one, we're not talking to him, but number two, we're not in his word. And those are both things that you said we're gonna need to do to know that we are made in the image of God. Because, yeah, if we're going to be made in the image of someone or something or whatever, we need to know who that person is. And how else to know who it is than to read His Word? Because you're right. It says in there everything that we are and everything that he is. And if we're made in his image, we need to know what he looks like so we know what we look like. And then constantly be striving to. To be what he has created us to be. Because we are human and we are going to mess up. Yes, but Grace. Yes, it. It is. It is a beautiful, beautiful thing. And. And it's. You're. Yeah, it's all about relationship and knowing who you are and whose you are. [00:16:43] Alyx: Yeah. [00:16:44] Jessica: And then things seem to fall in place. It doesn't make it all easier and, like, super simple, but it makes it worth it and better. And that is where. That is where I want to be. I don't know about. I know you are in the same. I don't know about you ladies listening, but, like, that's where we want to be is right there in his arms. And just, like, it just gives me. It. It makes me emotional because I love him so much, and I want that for so many women, but I can't want it from them more than they want it themselves. And that's hard. So we continue to. To do these little chat sessions, and we continue to pray for them and hope that they do see that in themselves. So, in. In that. In that same vein, what would you say for someone who is struggling with feeling valued or loved how would you encourage them in this season? [00:17:44] Alyx: I would say read some of songs because it is a literal love note. Like, just to hear, like, putting your name into the verses of where the father is talking about you. That is one of the things, like, when I first, like, started to be, like, all right, like, I can have a relationship with the Lord. Like, what does this mean? Like, all this stuff in the Passion translation, the. The Bible, it kind of tells it like a. Like a story. [00:18:16] Jessica: Yeah. [00:18:17] Alyx: And I just remember, like, reading Song. Song songs. Chapter four is my literal most favorite. Like, it is just so beautiful how he talks about you or us. Like. [00:18:29] Jessica: Yeah. [00:18:30] Alyx: As a person and, like, how he wants to be with us and how he wants to love us and what he like it. Like, he says, like, that we undo him. Like, he's completely undone by us. Like, what? Like the creator of the universe is undone by just a glance of our eyes. Like, that's in. That was insane to me. And so just knowing and honestly finding out how much he loves you, like, be straight up and like, God, like, why do you love me? How? Like, how? Like, and let him show you and, like, just sit with that for a second. Like, just. You don't have to, like, do anything. Just be like, God, like, why? [00:19:10] Jessica: How? [00:19:10] Alyx: Like. And let him answer you. [00:19:12] Jessica: Yeah. [00:19:12] Alyx: And that he can answer in so many different ways. But, like, start my. My number one would be read Song of Songs and let it just blow your mind. And how his heart. What his heart for you is. Yeah, that. That's where I was. Like, okay, I'm in. [00:19:28] Jessica: Yep. Done. Cool. Oh, I love that. So if you could leave our listeners with one thought about being made in God's image, what would it be? [00:19:41] Alyx: I'd say just to rest. I'd say take a breath and just know that there that you are who you are for a reason or a purpose and with intention. The way he made every little single detail about you is so intentional, is so perfect, and it is so beautiful that you don't have to be anybody else. You don't need to be anybody else. He doesn't want you to be anybody else. Like, he just. He needs you for who you are. And there is. There's a specific reason you are the way that you are. And it is beautiful, and it is wonderful. And rock it. [00:20:27] Jessica: Yes. [00:20:27] Alyx: You know, just take hold of that and be like, all right, let's do this. [00:20:31] Jessica: That's who I am. [00:20:33] Alyx: This is who I am. [00:20:35] Jessica: Yes. Oh, I love that so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Alyx, for sharing your heart with us and coming in here to talk to my friends and your friends. Yeah, and don't forget, Alyx is coming back for another episode where we are going to be talking about trusting God when life feels uncertain and you don't want to miss it. So if this sounds like something you need, make sure to hit that subscribe button so that you don't miss any episodes. And remember, even small shifts in perspective can lead to big changes. Now go put those perspectives into practice.