Picasso Selves

Distortion. That’s the name of the game when it comes to body image issues and disordered eating, isn’t it? For those of us who have come to believe only the most narrow of criteria constitutes actual beauty, a/k/a, “being thin,” distortion is, indeed, running amok in our bodies and lives. When I recently came across this image, I thought about the famous artist, Pablo Picasso. Most of his work challenges the “typical” representation of the human form. He always seemed to paint an ear where a nose or eye should be. I’m sure you’ve seen some of his stuff. It looks bizarre, unrealistic and even disturbing. But that was his artistic vision of things; he saw ears, eyes and mouths in some nonconventional spots. And that, once again, reminded me of this particular Jesus image here. Is it merely kooky artistic interpretation or is there something more to it? Image…We get so caught up in it, don’t we? And, how could we not? After all, image has been around since the beginning: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...” Genesis 1:26 However, this scripture is often lost on us. We’re so self-focused, we have difficulty seeing ourselves that way. Instead, we only see the “freak,” believing we’re deficient, subpar and ugly. We, therefore, pick apart, scrutinize and bemoan our “parts,” hating what we see in the mirror. And we judge it to be “bad” instead of “good,” let alone, “God created.” But that view is far more distorted and wrong than any Picasso- type painting in which an ear is painted in the middle of the face. God has intentionally created us as unique beings. “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 No two of us are alike. God considers us to be that special. “Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…” Isaiah 43:4 We’re loved, valued and wonderful- ALREADY!!! “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:14 But really, c’mon, how many of us are really doing that praising God stuff concerning our features? Yep, I thought so. All we tend to see are the flaws, right? But what if what we deem to be our “flaws” is really God’s “higher thinking?” After all… “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 Perhaps, then, we need to change a thought or two in our own heads, huh? What if every single feature and physical attribute has a larger, more magnificent and glorifying purpose? “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 We’re, by no means “finished.” That shouldn’t be discouraging; we should see it as good news. We’re changing for the better. And, regardless of where we are in the process, both our beauty and our victory are certainties! “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 So, let’s be confident in God, not distorted in ourselves, in pop culture, media or society’s definitions of beauty. Let’s change the way we view ourselves and God; let’s see ourselves through the God Image! Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse