The Fat Lady . . . Created In The Image Of God

In our discussion of Yalom in last week’s class, the question was asked, how does one appeal to conscience? Yalom seems to believe that in everyone there is a spark somewhere that can be lit, a spark the lies within the fundamentals of humanity. He seems to be grasping at humanity being created in the image of God.

Mangano stresses in his chapter on this subject that man was created in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. Thus, we all have a conscience that reaches after God (whether we acknowledge this or not) and knows the basic tenets of good and evil. To this innate sensitivity Yalom directs his work with Betty, whom he affectionately calls the Fat Lady.
Through Yalom’s interactions with her- and ultimately within himself- he recognized at last her humanness, and realized that he had treated her as less of a person because of his own prejudices. He was mortified when he found out that she recognized this from the outset.

I need to examine, and perhaps reexamine, my own prejudices against people, and to recognize that all people are created in the image of God. All are created equal, and all need the redemptive recreation of the Spirit of Christ. I need to change the lens through which I view people- which is largely how they will fulfill my needs/wants; better would be that I see everyone as souls (body and spirit, as defined by Mangano- a concept that warrants deeper personal reflection and study) created in God’s image, and therefore learn to respond to them as those who need to know Christ. This, I believe, will greatly reshape my approach to my neighbors and my counselees.

The reality of this hit home this week when I read an article about Ray Boltz “coming out of the closet”. At the outset I was extremely disappointed that he of all people- because of his ministry- would admit he was homosexual. In an instant, I labeled his life as a sham, and my attitude towards him as a Christian singer/songwriter turned sour. Thankfully, the Spirit of God gripped my heart in that moment, and I realized that I was no different. I may have had other struggles with sexual lust, but I am at heart the same as Ray Boltz. I pray that God will keep my humble and keep me attuned to this reality as I seek to minister to others in need.