“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them, male and female.”                                                                                                           Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

These days most people have a profile picture of some sort whether it is associated with your email address, Facebook, or some form of social media. I say ‘most people’ because I don’t have one. I opened a Facebook account once but never added a picture or even used it. I  haven’t even uploaded a picture for my email. 

When I considered adding a picture of myself I could never commit to one picture … to a picture I thought represented me. Maybe it is because when I look at photos of myself I am too self-conscious about them – I prefer to picture myself as younger and even prettier than that! Just kidding. It goes much deeper.

Scrolling through numerous profile pictures of family, friends, colleagues, and strangers I can best describe them as some humorous, some serious, and some strangely disturbing. I have often wondered … what were they thinking??? I am shocked to see how some people choose to represent themselves. Seriously, there are some ridiculous pictures out there and I have come to believe either people are really self-confident or really naïve.

 I mean, it is called a profile picture for a reason. It is an image chosen specifically to represent you. It is your image to the world – after all, it is on the world wide web. Don’t people realize that the profile picture is the first and sometimes the only impression people get of them? 

This is why I don’t have a profile picture … What if I chose the wrong image? 

I have learned something – I may not have a Facebook account with a picture or a personal image on my email, but in reality I do have a profile picture. The profile I project each day. The image I am showing the world. 

What kind of image am I projecting when I am in the workplace, at home, at the grocery store, or in the car? When people get a glimpse of me, what do they see?

Genesis 1:27 reminds me I am created in the image of God, but is that the image people see when they see me? 

I hope that people see at least a little piece of God through me. That is part of my daily prayer that I might be a reflection of God and that people who I come into contact with will see Him in me. However, I know I’m not consistent. I mess up. During those times, I should shake my head and say, “What was I thinking? … How can I represent God that way?”

One of the great things about a social media profile picture is that you can change it. 

We all mature and gain knowledge day to day and year to year. I doubt the profile picture you chose as a sixteen year old would be the same at the age of 30. 

Today, what’s your profile picture? Serious, humorous, strangely disturbing? But seriously, is it the image of God? Are you sending the right message? Are you making the right first impression?

People see us on the street, in the office, at the store, and in the car. It is our responsibility as Christians to make sure we are reflecting the face of God. That we are living the life we are called to live. 

As you are checking out the profile pictures of others, make sure you keep an eye on your own to be sure it is current and the one you want it to be.

Is it time to update your profile picture? It is never too late to change it.