The Tale of Two Image Bearers

In Sharon Brous’s book The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World she quotes a ninth century rabbinic text declaring that every person is accompanied at all times by a procession of angels crying out, “Make way, for an image of the Holy One is approaching!” I find this statement very exciting and exhilarating. She goes on to say, “How do we keep missing all those angels, with their trumpets and proclamations, desperate to rouse us to the dignity of every human being?”  

Several references in the Psalms speak to the relationship of angels to human beings. Psalm 34:7 states that “The Lord’s angel builds a camp around his followers, and he protects them” (Easy to Read Version). In Psalm 103:20-21 we read “Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out God’s plans, listening for each Divine command. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve the Lord and carry out the Holy Plan!” (Based on the New Living Translation). The rest of this Psalm lists some of God’s commands: praise, renewal, forgiveness and justice just to name a few. Every human being bears the Image of God within their souls and in some way knows it even though it does not seem evident.  

I recently met two men who were from different places, different ages, different lifestyles and very different outlooks on life. If the above quote has any merit (and I believe it does), these two examples of humanity are missing out on their Divine escort—for totally different reasons.   We shall call these men James and Josh. I met them briefly and in those few moments of encounter God showed me insight into the more broad reasons each of us may be like them and are missing the songs of the angels around us.  

I met James on my job of delivering mowers and tractors for a farm supply company.  He was a very friendly person with a beautiful estate. His wife was a beautiful mature lady for whom I had to move my truck so she could get to her hair appointment on time. They were both retired and living what most of us would consider a dream existence.  

 As I loaded his tractor he proceeded to tell me an abbreviated version of his life. Both he and his wife had been divorced three times before they met. (Thankfully they have been happily married for many years.) He also told of his abusive childhood. His father continually compared him to his “successful” brother who was a very talented baseball player.  James’ father told him he would never amount to anything unless he was as talented as his brother.  After sharing these life episodes, he raised his hand and gestured to all that he had accomplished and asked does this look like I have amounted to nothing?  

Now let’s consider Josh. I was hauling metal for recycling and I met Josh at the scrap yard.  He was a young man in his late twenties. The work place was hot, dirty and noisy. A job not many of us would desire. However, Josh was smiling and content with where he was in life.  As we unloaded the metal he told me how he loved the church he was attending and how God was blessing him. He was involved in ministries at his church and felt good about serving others.  He seemed to be at peace with where his life was currently and looking forward to bright things ahead. There was no sharing of life’s disappointments or struggles.  

Perhaps he had none but as you and I both know that is very seldom the case. Josh may never have a grand estate and a fancy tractor to take care of it, but that did not seem to be his focus. As I left the scrap yard Josh shouted (over all the noise) “God bless you” and I drove away.  

James and Josh were accompanied by shouting angels declaring their holiness and I am thankful that I, in some mysterious way, experienced the interaction of heaven and earth in their lives. The unfortunate part is that neither one of these God Images realized their importance to the Divine Presence they represented. James searched for significance in a life dedicated to proving that he had value in this world and no one could deny it. Josh found fulfillment in serving others and just being kind and considerate to those who he could influence for God.  

Both of these men were successful in their own rite. What they accomplished was very honorable and a contribution to their communities. Yet, if they had just lived their lives as human beings created in God’s Image without the accomplishments the angels would still declare, “Make way, for an image of the Holy One is approaching!” Whichever of these men you feel more akin to or some place in between, the fact is that the angels have declared you a holy creation that God loves and cares about. So when you are in a silent place alone with your thoughts, listen for the angels crying out “Make way…!”