STXWM Blog

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it!

Psalm 139:14 

Our theme this year for STXWM is Fashioned.  When I first heard it, my honest thought was that I wanted to do some study about it.  This is not a word I use very much, so I started in the place that I usually begin when I’m studying: Webster’s Dictionary.  The second definition says that it is a verb (action word) that means:

to give shape or form to something; to make, construct, or create something with careful attention or by the use of imagination and ingenuity; transformed.

Wow!  How awesome is that?  (Yes, I am actually really excited about that.  After all, I will be the first to think about research and study when I hear a new word. I proudly wear the bookworm badge).  Let that definition sink in for just a moment with respect to God having FASHIONED you. 

He has shaped and formed you.  With imagination and ingenuity He constructed you, giving careful attention to every detail.  By His hand, you are transformed!

I absolutely love this time of year.  I love to get my house all cleaned up in the days after Christmas and start the new year with a clean space.  I love to buy new calendars and planners.  It all feels so fresh and full of possibilities.  

However, this time of year can also come with a lot of pressure and guilt with regard to new goals that we’ve set for ourselves.  We make plans to improve our credit scores, our health, and our professional endeavors.  Goals are great, but I don’t know how anyone else is doing so far.  I have already used a cheat day.  It’s January 6th!  We can so easily fall into the trap of allowing accusing thoughts like, “How is it possible that I have failed already?” or “What is wrong with me?” to play on repeat.  

Allow me to remind you of a few things:

He has shaped and formed you.  Psalm 139 reminds us that He knit us together in our mother’s wombs.  He knows you.  He designed and loves every inch of you: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  All of you.  

For years I was teased for being too emotional when I was young.  Even now, I cry when I’m sad, happy, overwhelmed, angry, frustrated or simply dealing with most emotions.  Tears are my release, but for a long time I was ashamed of it.  God had to reveal to me that what the world called too emotional, He calls tenderhearted.  He fashioned me with a heart that feels deeply to intercede in prayer, to weep with those who weep, and to rejoice with tears of joy.  When the world saw a weakness in me, God saw a tool He could use for His kingdom.

With imagination and ingenuity He constructed you, giving careful attention to every detail.  God used his imagination and made you the original, and inventive you that gazes back from the mirror each day.  He not only understands, but He intentionally designed all the details that make you unique.  In His eyes you are stunning!

We all have things about ourselves that we would like to improve.  Goals and growth are all wonderful biblical tools that God can use to draw us closer to Him, but comparison is the tool of the enemy to breed division and to destroy our confidence.  All too often, it is the fear of comparison that rules the day.  Hear what I am saying.  Set your goals.  Chase the growth and change that will improve your life and strengthen your character. Then at the end of every day (regardless of what the world labels as pass or fail, win or lose), look into the mirror and honestly see the amazing creation that you are.  You are already loved!  You are already enough!

By His hand, you are transformed!  God is the one who will work true change and transformation in your life because He loves you, and because He created you for a life of freedom.  He is always working for our good.  When we are chasing hard after our goals and making strides for change, He is working.  When we are doing good just to make it through the day, He is working.  Even when we quit, He never does.  

God has fashioned us with integrity.  Webster’s dictionary defines integrity as: 

the condition of being whole, unimpaired, united, and of sound construction.  

All that He has made was good.  You are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (KJV)  I love the way that the New Living Translation says: Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex.  Complex not complicated.

We have been told all our lives that we were made by God, but let’s make this the year that we allow God to show us what it means to be fashioned by the Creator.  His “workmanship is marvelous!-how well I know it!”

Father, thank you for making us wonderfully complex women.  Thank you for forming us with imagination and ingenuity.  You had every detail in mind when you formed us in our mother’s wombs and a moment never passes when we are not loved.  You see us through our greatest joys and in our lowest moments and your love for us never waivers.  We have been bought with a price, sustained by your promises, and sent forth with your purpose.  Help us to know that.   Defend our minds against the lies of comparison that would seek to divide us from our sisters.   Imbed this truth in our hearts and minds that we are loved, we are enough, and we have work to do for you because we have been fashioned by your hand.  We will rejoice at the works of your hands this year, Lord.  We give you all the honor and glory!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.