Through The Bible in a Year - January 8, 2026

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'" – Genesis 1:26

When NFL kicker, Cody Parkey, missed the game-winning field goal, sports talk radio exploded in rage when he said, "Football is what I do. It is not who I am." How dare he separate his performance from his identity!

But Parkey understood what the radio commentators did not: what you do doesn't define who you are as a Christian. Your success or failure, your career accomplishments, others' opinions of your performance—none of these determine your value.

You are made in the image of God. That reality is inseparable from your humanity. It doesn't change when you succeed, and it doesn't disappear when you fail. When circumstances abandon you, when success eludes you, when people criticize or reject you, this remains true: you bear God's image.

This isn't just helpful theology for a sermon—it's soul health for your hardest moments. When people think you're foolish, wrong, or a failure, when they're ready to write you off, you can stand firm saying, "My identity is not in my job, my performance, or others' opinions. It is in Jesus Christ. I am made in God's image."

Respond: What area of your life are you allowing to define you? Your career? Your relationships? Your accomplishments? Others' opinions? Today, with the authority of scripture, declare: "This is what I do. It is not who I am. I am made in God's image."

Prayer: Father, forgive me for finding my identity in what I do rather than who You've made me to be. When success abandons me and opinions assault me, anchor me in this truth: I am made in Your image, precious to You regardless of performance. Help me live from this secure identity today. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.