Five-minute read.
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.
Psalm 139:15
Grand design.
Before conception, the Lord had a plan for each of us. With each unfolding day, God’s grand design reveals more of His purpose. What we choose to do with the life given to us by our Creator either blesses Him or doesn’t.
Visiting friends over Christmas, they bought a piece of land, planning to build their next home. After their initial visit to an architect, the project became more real, particularly how much it would cost. Discussing all the components that go into building a house requires many decisions: How immense? Who do we get to make it? What do we want the layout to look like? What will function best for our needs? They get to create and design their dream home one decision at a time.
Looking at a completed house, we never doubt someone created it. Whether large or small, someone designed it, considering what kind of frame the abode will need, where to put the support beams to hold the structure together, what kind of building materials to use, etc. Once someone drew up the home’s plans, a builder completed them, bringing to life what he saw on the paper. We never doubt the creator behind the creation.
God designed our frames.
And He gave me a large one. No one will ever describe me as petite. The Lord knew I would become a base for cheerleading, the person at the bottom of the pyramid or stunt who holds up other squad members. God knew that when He designed my frame, I would become an athlete, playing tennis and eventually coaching it. God gave me a natural advantage in softball and tennis by making me left-handed. My Creator knew what I would need while on this Earth and built it into my design.
Just as my friends know, they will need a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms in their new home. When the framers build the outline of the house, they do so with the result in mind. And when the Lord knit us together in our mother’s wombs, He did the same for us. Planned, designed, and desired, our Creator made us with love.
“God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now, God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity[i]
We need our Architect to live life abundantly. Apart from God, we cannot find true happiness and peace. Finding joy in the Lord requires a union with Him. Our fuel comes from God; He spurs us onward through His Spirit. Guiding and directing us from within our hearts, the Lord made us to live in community with Him.
Application:
Grand design.
God designed me for a purpose. I must trust His design to discover the Lord’s will for my life. My Creator gave me a sturdy body to work hard and serve others. Taking care of the house God built for me honors and glorifies him. Trusting the Architect means trusting that everything we need, He included in our blueprint. Everyone serves a different purpose. Some people live in tiny houses, others in large ones. God’s purpose for me differs from anyone else’s, and I shouldn’t try to fit into someone else’s plan. At the same time, I should accept others as the Lord designed them, not comparing, just loving.
Before my conception, God designed my body, creating it for His purpose, to live out His will for my life. Connected to my Maker, I can discover His plan for me, one day at a time.
Trust the Architect.
Journaling Questions:
- What comes to mind when you think of God’s design for you?
- How can you show God appreciation for giving you life?
- What parts of God’s design don’t you understand?
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for not appreciating Your work in my life. Please give me the wisdom, discernment, and self-control necessary to make the best decisions for my body, honoring You with my efforts. Help us live with You, following Your commands and fulfilling Your plans. IJNIP. Amen
[i] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/106874-god-made-us-invented-us-as-a-man-invents-an
