The rich and famous wore them for centuries, but for our generation, designer fashions started with jeans in the '70s. When the Gloria Vanderbilt and Jordache names were attached to specially marketed blue jeans, the designer trend was underway. Now we see designer names on everything from luggage to cars. Yet, have you noticed that along with the designer name comes a higher price? Why would someone pay more money for an item of any size or price simply because it has someone’s name on it? “Many reasons,” you say. “It should be better quality; after all, the designer is staking his reputation on it.” In fact, since the designer’s name is on the line, it could do him (or her) more damage than it is worth unless the product was the very best. Nobody wants his or her good name on inferior merchandise. What is even more interesting to realize is that you don’t need to go to a high-priced shopping mall to find designer labels. It may surprise you to know that you got your first piece of designer fashion with your very first suityour birthday suit! It is simply “divine.” God Himself put a designer label on you. Not just in the way you look but also in the way you think, act and feel. If just the thought of this has you in “stitches,” read the first chapter of Genesis. The original pattern is right there in verse 26, “Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” Did God make us for a relationship with Him? Yes, but that is not all. As God Himself declared, He made us to display His image on Earth. We are a representative not only of God’s authority over creation but also of the kind of person God is. How does this lofty theological truth make any difference in the lives of real people like you and me? You see, all people are created in the image of God. This means rich and poor; Christian and non-Christian; black and white, male and female. While we may not look, talk or think alike, we all share this most significant area of common ground given to us by our Creator. Does this sound a little bit like “The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man”? It may be mistaken for that so let me clarify. God is the Creator of all human beings. As such, He has created all of us in His image. However, He is not the Father of all human beings. Only when we place our trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, does God give us the power to become His adopted sons (John 1:12), and thus He becomes our Father. Think of it. When we receive Christ as our personal savior, we join a family of brothers and sisters, most of whom we have never met. We join His family, which includes people of all races and nationalities. As His children, we not only share His image but we truly share His wealth and home. One family. One home. One Church. United in Christ. But if we are supposed to be one in Christ, why are there so many divisions, especially along racial lines? The late Dr. Martin Luther King once described Sunday worship as “the most segregated hour in America.” The fact is we are onethe challenge given to the Church is to act like it. Just because two brothers don’t get along doesn’t mean they aren’t brothers. It does mean that such a relationship grieves their father. The same is true of the Church. We know that God does not divide us along racial lines. In fact, He tells us just the opposite. Paul wrote that we are all equal in Christ and specifically mentions various races in Galatians 3:26-28: You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Of course, after this earth is gone, we know that racial harmony in Christ is God’s plan for eternity. We are told that eventually “every tongue will worship Him” (Philippians 2:10,11). To be even more specific, John records in Revelation that such worship will include “every tribe, language, people and nation” (Rev. 5:9,10). Whenever we reach out beyond the world’s expectations (and perhaps our own comfort and convenience zones), we glorify our Lord. We honor His image given to our very personhood. As family members, He delights in our unity, harmony and testimony to the greatest Father of all. He has entrusted that responsibility to each and every one of us. You don’t have to be a tall, slender, or beautiful woman nor a lean, mean, macho machine to be a top model. The most significant Designer of all has chosen you to “show off” His work. You are His model. So, Christian, the world is watching. Our Father’s reputation is on the line. Get out there and strut your stuff!

By Mark Chalemin