“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15, KJV)

I despise having my picture taken. This is not a good thing since my in-laws are photographers. Still, there’s nothing like sitting in front of a machine that blinds me with a bright light and trying to come up with a realistic smile when smiling is the last thing I want to be doing. And the poses are so uncomfortable.

Usually the phrase I hear most is, “Tilt your head a little more,” to which my response is, “If I tip it any further, it’s going to roll off my shoulder and onto the floor.” It feels awkward. It feels uncomfortable. In the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder if the upcoming photo will be one to add to my “Mutants of the Present World” file. Amazingly enough, when I look at the photo, I look completely normal and relaxed. How is it possible to capture a lovely image from such an uncomfortable pose? Have you ever noticed that God does the same thing?

You see, God is trying to take a picture too. Only, He’s looking for something in particular, because He doesn’t really want to capture our image, but His image reflected through us. To find this perfect shot takes time. It takes some uncomfortable poses. It takes following directions that sometimes don’t make sense to us (such as tipping your head further when it feels as if it’s already detached). But if we are willing to do all these things, God will be able to capture His likeness in us. And what a portrait that will be!

Are you ready to see Christ in you? Wait patiently. Smile during the uncomfortable times. Follow directions, no matter how strange they may seem. Oh, and don’t forget to say “cheese”!

Question: Is God speaking to you today about taking a certain direction in your life? Will you step out in faith, even if it is uncomfortable?

Take the next step:

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For the past 50 years Josh McDowell has traveled the world, talking with people from every culture and background. He has written or co-authored over 120 books and led many people to put their trust in the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. Throughout this time, he recognized what he believes is the biggest problem which is prevalent in every culture: How people perceive themselves.

In this series of videos, Josh explores how we should build our self image. In this video, Josh says:

“Have you ever heard of the term ‘vertigo’? Pilots have it, in fact, deep sea divers can have it where they, they’ve got to come up for oxygen, they actually swim down instead of up. Well vertigo I’ve experienced one time in a plane. You can be flying in a small plane, now you have to have it where you can’t see the horizon—it has to be in a storm, or in heavy clouds, or what. And you can get flipped upside down but you don’t know it.”

This is part 3 of 15. Watch part 4 of this series: Having a healthy self image

For the past 50 years Josh McDowell has traveled the world, talking with people from every culture and background. He has written or co-authored over 120 books and led many people to put their trust in the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. Throughout this time, he recognized what he believes is the biggest problem which is prevalent in every culture: How people perceive themselves.

In this series of videos, Josh explores how we should build our self image. In this video, Josh says:

“Notice what God says, “When I look at the nightly sky, and see the work of your fingers. The moon and the stars you have set in place. What are mortals that you should think of us? Mere humans that you should care for us? For you made us only a little lower…” Now some of your translations say angels. You know what the original language says? God. Whoa!”

This is part 9 of 15. Watch part 10 of this series: You are loved by God

For the past 50 years Josh McDowell has traveled the world, talking with people from every culture and background. He has written or co-authored over 120 books and led many people to put their trust in the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. Throughout this time, he recognized what he believes is the biggest problem which is prevalent in every culture: How people perceive themselves.

In this series of videos, Josh explores how we should build our self image. In this video, Josh says:

“We talk of the marvelous mountains, and the rivers, and the jungles, and the beaches, and all in the most beautiful terms, but when we look at ourselves it becomes a different perspective.”

This is part 1 of 15. Watch part 2 of this series: How do you determine your self image?

For the past 50 years Josh McDowell has traveled the world, talking with people from every culture and background. He has written or co-authored over 120 books and led many people to put their trust in the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. Throughout this time, he recognized what he believes is the biggest problem which is prevalent in every culture: How people perceive themselves.

In this series of videos, Josh explores how we should build our self image. In this video, Josh says:

“As a nonbeliever when I set out to write “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” against the Christian faith to refute it, there was one, once I became convinced the Bible was true, then I started to consider its message. And I read something exciting in the book of Exodus, now think of that, something exciting in the book of Exodus!”

This is part 13 of 15. Watch part 14 of this series: Remind yourself you are a child of God

For the past 50 years Josh McDowell has traveled the world, talking with people from every culture and background. He has written or co-authored over 120 books and led many people to put their trust in the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. Throughout this time, he recognized what he believes is the biggest problem which is prevalent in every culture: How people perceive themselves.

In this series of videos, Josh explores how we should build our self image. In this video, Josh says:

“After I trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, I used to hear a lot of invitations given at conferences, and camps, and in the youth group at the church, and the invitations go like this: “God wants to use you. Bring your gifts, your talents, your abilities, and place them on the altar and say ‘God use me.’” You know, I never once responded to any invitation after I trusted Christ. You know why? I didn’t think they ever applied to me. I didn’t think I had any abilities. I didn’t think I had any talents or gifts or strengths. You say, that’s crazy! No it’s not.”

This is part 15 of 15. Click here to go back to the first video in the series

For the past 50 years Josh McDowell has traveled the world, talking with people from every culture and background. He has written or co-authored over 120 books and led many people to put their trust in the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. Throughout this time, he recognized what he believes is the biggest problem which is prevalent in every culture: How people perceive themselves.

In this series of videos, Josh explores how we should build our self image. In this video, Josh says:

“Notice what God says, “You are special because you are loved. You say, well how am I loved? What kind of love is it? You know there’s four beautiful aspects of God’s love. Number one is God’s love is sacrificial. “

This is part 10 of 15. Watch part 11 of this series: He who knows you best loves you most

For the past 50 years Josh McDowell has traveled the world, talking with people from every culture and background. He has written or co-authored over 120 books and led many people to put their trust in the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. Throughout this time, he recognized what he believes is the biggest problem which is prevalent in every culture: How people perceive themselves.

In this series of videos, Josh explores how we should build our self image. In this video, Josh says:

“You were created of great value. You don’t believe me? Then let’s see what God’s word says about you. Now you’re going to have to listen carefully because your emotions will be telling you that you are worthless. But God says …”

This is part 7 of 15. Watch part 8 of this series: Seeing yourself as God sees you