Monday Morning Memo: But God

As I shared at the end of my blog post last week, the 2nd truth that Louie Giglio shared in his book, Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table, was, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”.  UGH.  To a person whose body is wired backwards, this is a very hard truth to accept.

 

From a person who has fought with serious health issues for many years, it is very hard for me to think of my body as being wonderfully made.  I’ve always said that God must have used leftover parts to assemble my body…because it sure doesn’t act or react like a “normal” body.  

 

This is what Mr. Giglio wrote concerning this truth:

 

You weren’t born by a random act of the cosmos.  God made you with intention, and God made you wonderfully.  God has redeemed you and knows your name (Isaiah 43:1)

 

So plant this thought by memorizing these verses: “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.  I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

 

You are not the maker.  You are made.  God is not created in your image, how you might think He should be.  You are created in His.  He decided that He wanted you in His universe.  He imagined and fashioned you.  You are not accidental.  Nor incidental.  You are divinely crafted.  

 

Plant this seed every day.  In time, you’ll have an oak providing shade for you and those around you.  You’ll begin to believe that you are who God says you are.  Unique.  Special. Valuable.

 

As I read this truth over and over again…God began to speak.  I was reminded that my body is not an accident.  God didn’t create me and then say, “Oops…I sure messed that one up!”  No, I was created perfectly, but if God has allowed things to develop in my body that are far from perfect, He must have a reason and a purpose.

 

The phrase “fearfully and wonderfully made” kept going through my mind, so I googled it and a YouTube cartoon came up with Jesus talking to a child (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jVgdnq-5fKE)  Their conversation went like this:

 

CHILD:  Jesus, what does Psalm 139:14 mean?

 

JESUS:  It is my reminder to you that you are not a mistake.  I formed you with intention, with care and with a plan only you can fulfill.  Fearfully and wonderfully made means every part of you…your heart, mind and spirit reflects my creativity and love.

 

CHILD:  But Jesus, sometimes I feel weak, small or not enough.   How do I believe this is true and how do I think I am fearfully and wonderfully made when I feel insecure?

 

JESUS:  Step by Step:

1.     See yourself through my eyes.  I know every thought, every struggle, every fear.  To me you are precious and valued.

 

2.     Remember, I made you intentionally…your strengths, your challenges, your unique design…all show my wisdom.

 

3.    Trust my purpose for you.  You are created to reflect glory in ways no one else can. Your life matters even when you feel invisible.

 

4.    Speak truth over yourself – declare my Word over your life…I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  God’s love is in me and I am enough in Him.  When you live from this truth insecurity loses power and my spirit fills your heart with courage and joy.

 

As I watched this video, I heard that I am not a mistake.  I am precious and valued.  I was created to reflect glory in ways no one else can…which means God has a plan for me, even with all my health issues.  His plan is for me to reflect Him in ways that are impossible for anyone else to do…because they have not been given what I have been given.  

 

I’m sure some of you are probably thinking, “Well duh, LuAnn.  You should have already known that”.  Knowing it and accepting it…are two different things.  Yes, I’ve heard this before, but when a person is in the trenches…it is so easy to forget the truth.  It’s easy to become consumed with just putting one foot in front of another…just getting through one health issue after another.  As a result, God periodically must remind us of our worth.  Remind us of our purpose.  Remind us that His plan and timing are perfect.

 

I don’t know where you are today.  You, like me, may feel like you were a mistake.  You may feel like you are a burden to others.  You may feel that there is no way God can use you…with all your health issues, faults and failures.  I’m here to tell you today, that I understand.  I know how hard and intense life can be sometimes and it is so easy to feel like we have no purpose.  

 

All that would be true…BUT GOD.  God makes all the difference.  God loves you so much and He says you are precious and valued.  He has a plan for your life that no one else on this earth can live out…but He knows that you can do it, because He will give you what you need, when you need it.  He believes in you.  Your life matters even when you feel invisible, because you my friend, were fearfully and wonderfully made!