What It Means to Be Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: A Spiritual Exploration
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” - Psalm 139:14-16.
In these deeply moving verses from Psalm 139, we find a profound truth about our existence and God's role. It’s a passage that speaks directly to our hearts, reminding us of our intrinsic value and purpose in God's grand design.
When we read, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” it's not just about physical creation; it’s about recognizing God's extraordinary care and attention to making each of us.
To be “fearfully” made doesn't mean to be created in fear but rather with awe, reverence, and respect. It implies that our creation is not casual or accidental but a product of divine intention.
And “wonderfully made”?
This speaks to the uniqueness of our design. No two people are exactly alike, not even identical twins. We have a distinctive blend of talents, traits, and potential. This diversity is not a flaw but a reflection of God’s limitless creativity.
He crafted us not as mere beings but as individuals with a purpose, each with a role in this world.
The passage reveals that God saw us even before we were born. “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.”
This line comforts us with the knowledge that our entire being, our bodies, minds, and souls, were known to God even before we entered the world. It's a testament to His omnipresence and omniscience, assuring us that we are never alone or unseen.
The idea of being “woven together in the depths of the earth” is a poetic way of expressing that our formation was a careful and intricate process. Just as a weaver carefully selects each thread to create a beautiful tapestry, so does God select every aspect of our being to make us who we are.
Perhaps the most humbling part of these verses is the acknowledgment that “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This statement is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty over our lives.
Our days are not random; they are known to God, and each has a purpose. This doesn't negate our free will or our responsibility to make choices, but it does suggest that our lives are part of a larger, divine narrative.
So, what does all this mean for us in our day-to-day lives? It means we should live with the understanding that we are valuable and loved by God. Each of us is a unique, divine creation, not a product of chance or mere biology.
In moments of doubt or low self-esteem, remembering these verses can lift our spirits and give us a sense of belonging and purpose.
It also means respecting the divine image of others. Just as we are fearfully and wonderfully made, so is everyone around us. Recognizing this can help us foster a sense of empathy and connection with others, seeing them not just as fellow humans but as fellow creations of God.
Lastly, it means trusting in God’s plan for our lives. Understanding that our days are known to Him can provide comfort and guidance, especially in times of uncertainty or decision-making.
Read More: How to boost your self-esteem in Jesus
