You pass an older, African American woman as you’re headed into the grocery store. She’s different from you. Different background, different clothes, and she walks kind of slow. What do you see? Do you see someone who could be like family to you, the great-aunt you love so much?

And, the young woman that is working as a cashier, looking sort of tired, and not as responsive as you’d like…do you see see someone who could be your family, the cousin that you have loved since she was just a baby?

When you run into the man outside the grocery store, who is sitting there on a bench in the hot Southern sun, with a two day old shave, and the clothes he’s undoubtedly been wearing for a few days… what do you see? Do you just see a beggar in your way, or a man that could be a good friend, a brother?

Here is a big mark of the Holy Spirit in your life: Do you recognize the image of God? He’s there in the midst of everyday life. He’s there in the faces of the people you meet. Do you see it?

In the gospels, the demons recognized Jesus for who he was. They knew he was the Son of God. Now, if the devils recognized Jesus, don’t you think the Spirit of God would recognize the image of God? If you are a Jesus follower, then you are told that you have the Spirit of God in you. And, when you are in tune with the Spirit of God, you’ll recognize something very special: Every single person has something of God in them.

So, it changes how you see people. You don’t see people as things to be used, but as marvelous, unimaginable glimpses into the very essence of God. His image. His representation. His likeness.

Genesis 1:26.