The Handiwork of God

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... Psalm 139:14

Ok I have the cutest daughter.  I mean I’m sure you’re kids are really cute too... but my daughter... she is fabulous!  Right now she’s standing on a stool staring at herself in the mirror and just smiling and smiling!  You know that boy band song “you don’t know you’re beautiful”- yeah well she hates that song.  Every time she hears it anywhere she says in her cute little 5 year old voice “Mom I do not like that song!  Because I KNOW I’m beautiful!”  Shelby understands that God has fearfully and wonderfully made her.  

Ephesians 2:10- For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do Good works...

A few years ago I started to realize just how much looking in the mirror and thinking untrue thoughts about myself was getting in the way of the good works that God has for me. I could not say “God I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!”  This hindered my ability to actively participate in the greatest mission in life- to make disciples!  Here’s a little play by play of my thought life

Oh that girl is pretty... she’s athletic- she won’t listen to me

Ugh... I’m so fat- I’m NOT leaving the house! (followed by a temper tantrum with my entire wardrobe laying on my bedroom floor!)

Why oh why oh WHY can’t the clothes I put on actually look good?  Then I would feel totally confident talking with anyone!

My insecurities about my body image lead to nothing good!  They lead to a distracted, selfish heart!  

Matthew 28:18-20 says Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

When I was so consumed with my so called imperfections, I was spending so much time thinking about myself and almost no time thinking about the love that people need from me.  In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to Love God and then to love others.  This is impossible if I’m only thinking about myself... or if I won’t leave the house!  

Realigning my thoughts- I have made a commitment that when I am tempted now with untrue thoughts about myself, I will put my focus back on God and what His purpose for my life is- to Love Him, and to love people.  I will say I praise you Lord for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!  The truth is, since I have been stepping through my insecurities, God has shown me this- that regardless of what people look like (pretty, athletic or intimidating) they just want to be loved, accepted, and shown God’s truth!  

Are you walking in the truth that you are God’s handiwork, made for a purpose of loving God and loving others?  What are some thoughts about yourself that are getting in the way of walking in that purpose?

About Rhonda

Rhonda attended Oklahoma Baptist University for two years until she felt called to reach out to a secular campus.  She then transferred to Mesa State where she graduated in 2004 with a B.A. in Counseling Psychology. She now serves as a missionary to college students and has a passion for reaching out to young women.  God has a purpose and design for who he wants Godly women to be, and Rhonda is excited about helping women find freedom and joy in His purpose.

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