Motherhood Reflects the Image of God
Mother's Day is deeply personal. We all have some story to tell about moms. Some are rich in gratitude, others are sad and challenging. Each of us has been made in the image of God, uniquely reflecting who He is to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. In all the different expressions of motherhood, God reflects His character in each one.
Since the very beginning, God invites His people into partnership to reflect who He is wherever they go. Genesis 1 tells the story that we are made in His image. Looking for good without God creates distance from us and God, whom we were created to reflect. The Good News is that, through Jesus, we can find our way back to Him and to who we were always meant to be.
Motherhood is one of the many different places we can find the character of God reflected in His people.
Exodus tells the story of God's redemptive power through partnership with His people. When Moses asked to see God, Exodus 34:6 states, "The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, 'Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.'" It's no surprise that the first thing God characterizes Himself with is compassion. The Hebrew word for compassion in this passage is rahum, derived from rechem, meaning "womb," suggesting the deepest sense of care and nurturing. In this moment, Moses would have understood that God is saying, "I am moved by my deep care for you and my people." Just as we today can experience the depth of God's care and nurturing for us.
The Book of Deuteronomy recalls another account of God's redemption of His people through the partnership with Moses. In Deuteronomy 32, we see God's character of protection and provision symbolized by a mother eagle who hovers over her chicks as they learn to fly. Isaiah 46 reminds us that God cares for His people from before we were born and throughout our lifetime. Similarly, moms who protect and lift their children reflect something of God for us.
Time and time again, we see God reflected in motherhood. His caring nature, His loving posture, and His desire to be with us, even when we mess up. Motherhood paints a picture of God unlike any other. It's important to remember that the call to reflect the image of God is important, but it's not all on us. Motherhood is an essential reflection, but it's still just a reflection. The one who we most need is the one who carries us.
PRAY
God,
May we be reminded of the words in Isaiah 49:13-15: "For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Yet Jerusalem says, 'The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.' 'Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" God, you desire to be with me. You protect me, nurture me, and love me. May I never lose sight of this.
Amen
Dive Deeper
Dr. Carissa Quinn reflects on Isaiah 49, stating, "God is actually depicted as a nursing mother. The image is really powerful—a mother holds her nursing baby eight inches from her face and looks into their big baby eyes and sustains them with her own life. This is what God says he is like, but even better."
How are you reminded of how much God cares and loves you?
Who in your life needs to be reminded of God's compassion and mercy through your actions?
In what ways are people experiencing God's compassion through you? What needs to change to make this true?