"I saw two persons in bodily likeness: that is to say, a Lord and a Servant; and therewith God gave me spiritual understanding. The Lord sitteth stately in rest and in peace; the Servant standeth by afore his Lord reverently, ready to do his Lord’s will."
Julian of Norwich (Ch. 51)
Julian is given a parable or story by the Lord to help her understand how God sees us. In this story she is shown a lord and a servant. The lord is representative of God and the servant is representative of Adam, or humans. The initial view of the lord is that he is sitting in rest and peace. This speaks of God's attitude towards us. He is at peace with us, at rest with the human creation He made. He is not agitated, disappointed or upset with us, but is content with us and pleased with who he made. The initial view of the servant is that he is standing before the lord with respect or reverence, and that he is ready to do as his lord asks. This speaks of our attitude towards God. We are created very good and in God's image. By nature we naturally reverence God and long for His ways, long to please Him. We were not made naturally rebellious, suspicious, sinful or uncaring with respect to God. We are by creation naturally aligned with Him and wanting to do His will. This is the basis of our relation with God and this foundation has not changed, no matter what mistakes or confusions have come throughout our history. God is still at peace about how He made us, knowing what He put within us and knowing our true good nature even when we forget or don't live according to it. And we still find deep within us a longing for God and a longing to do what is right and loving and pleasing to God. What peace it brings to know that our basic makeup as beings created in God's image is good and even godlike, even if we don't always live that out. And what peace it brings to know that God is never against us but always believes in the good in us, for He knows how He made us and knows that inner goodness is still there inside of us, no matter what!
"People...are made in the likeness of God."
James 3:9 (ESV)
A Prayer: Thank You for always believing in me, and always being at peace with me!