Think about it—when you see a painting, you don’t just see the paint on the canvas. You see the artist’s vision, creativity, and heart. In the same way, when we encounter people, we’re not just seeing a body or a personality. We’re seeing a glimpse of the Artist. Genesis 1:27 reminds us that God created mankind in his own image. That means every single person—from the neighbor who waves when you get the mail, to the stranger at the stoplight, to the person sleeping under a bridge—carries the fingerprint of God.
And here’s the kicker: the way we talk about and treat people is a direct reflection of what we believe about the One who made them. If we demean, dismiss, or ignore people, what are we saying about the God who stamped His image on them? But if we choose love, dignity, and kindness—even when it costs us something—we’re declaring that our Creator is worthy of honor.
Jesus put it plainly in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. When we feed the hungry, listen to the lonely, or welcome the outsider, we are loving Jesus Himself. That’s not metaphorical; that’s real. The Creator so identifies with His creation that the way we treat people becomes the way we treat Him.
This changes everything. Loving our neighbor is not just about being nice or checking a box. It’s worship. It’s recognizing that the cashier with a tired smile, the refugee trying to find their footing, the child struggling at school, and the neighbor whose politics drive you crazy are all sacred works of art. And how we respond shows what we think of the Artist.
So Hopesters, let’s live this out. Let’s be the kind of people who notice, who step in, who serve, who dignify, who forgive. Not because people have earned it, but because God has placed His image on them. Every time we love “the least of these,” we’re declaring that our God is glorious.
The world says some people are worth more than others. Jesus says every person is a masterpiece. Let’s choose His way.
***Ride4Refugees is happening this weekend (Sept. 20-21, 2025). Many are bicycling border to border through Kansas. Let’s pray for them but let’s also remember, the point is to raise money for refugees. Please prayerfully consider how you can love some of the least of these. Ride4refugees.com.
peace,
Nick
Art by: Dawn Icenhour House, Syrian Refugees, 2014, 2025
Reference photo credit: Ulas Yunus Tosun, photographer and filmmaker.
And here’s the kicker: the way we talk about and treat people is a direct reflection of what we believe about the One who made them. If we demean, dismiss, or ignore people, what are we saying about the God who stamped His image on them? But if we choose love, dignity, and kindness—even when it costs us something—we’re declaring that our Creator is worthy of honor.
Jesus put it plainly in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. When we feed the hungry, listen to the lonely, or welcome the outsider, we are loving Jesus Himself. That’s not metaphorical; that’s real. The Creator so identifies with His creation that the way we treat people becomes the way we treat Him.
This changes everything. Loving our neighbor is not just about being nice or checking a box. It’s worship. It’s recognizing that the cashier with a tired smile, the refugee trying to find their footing, the child struggling at school, and the neighbor whose politics drive you crazy are all sacred works of art. And how we respond shows what we think of the Artist.
So Hopesters, let’s live this out. Let’s be the kind of people who notice, who step in, who serve, who dignify, who forgive. Not because people have earned it, but because God has placed His image on them. Every time we love “the least of these,” we’re declaring that our God is glorious.
The world says some people are worth more than others. Jesus says every person is a masterpiece. Let’s choose His way.
***Ride4Refugees is happening this weekend (Sept. 20-21, 2025). Many are bicycling border to border through Kansas. Let’s pray for them but let’s also remember, the point is to raise money for refugees. Please prayerfully consider how you can love some of the least of these. Ride4refugees.com.
peace,
Nick
Art by: Dawn Icenhour House, Syrian Refugees, 2014, 2025
Reference photo credit: Ulas Yunus Tosun, photographer and filmmaker.