I am not sure who needs to hear this today (perhaps only me), but this message burns within me: God formed you with intention and purpose. People may choose sexual intercourse, but only God creates life. You were no accident. Your life holds meaning and value.
The same God who created the heavens and earth and who spoke everything into existence uniquely formed each person throughout history with purpose and destiny. How amazing is that? How far beyond our understanding to consider how much God loves and values every individual?
“…The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares…”
Zechariah 12:1
The Hebrew word for form is yatsar, primarily meaning to form or fashion, often used in the context of creating or shaping something with intention and purpose. With the hands of a Master Potter, God molds and forms us into chosen vessels for various purpose.
People might classify me as an emerging artist of sorts. Recently, I attempted to do a simple painting in a different medium for a birthday card. What someone else accomplished with ease, became anything but easy for me. It serves me well to stick with how and where God leads me, rather than attempt to imitate someone else. It was a simple lesson — a lesson received.
Intention
Intention relates to the significance of something. Do you feel significant? The world of social media and bombardments of advertising have conditioned us to feel less than others unless we measure up to a specific standard or own a certain product. We grow accustomed to the polluted messaging, becoming numb to the ever-growing internal deficient.
With brush in hand, rather than recognize the uniqueness of the God-gift within me, I easily drifted into wrong-headed thinking and tryed to be like someone else. Whose standard do we measure ourselves by? Is it God’s? Does it align with His intention for us?
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“
Ephesians 2:10
Hand crafted with intention for significance. Nothing this world throws at us can change His good intentions for us. Before we were conceived, God established His perfect intention and purpose for our lives. It still stands!
Only by living by HIs intentions will we realize our full significance.
Purpose
Our life bears significance with purpose. It becomes all too easy to lose our divine purpose in day-to-day responsibilities. Without knowing when or how, we trade our significance for lesser things like human approval, false identities, or impressive earthly titles. Oh, how sad!
As sons and daughters of the living God we hold a much higher purpose. We define purpose as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” The most severely disabled and handicapped person holds as much value and purpose as the strongest and greatest among us. Ability or inability fails to in any way influence God’s purpose for any life.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Psalm 139:13
God’s creative artistry reached its highest pinnacle when He made you. The Hebrew word for created means to purchase or own as well as to cover and to protect. Our loving Maker refuses to abandon His design. Our unique purpose lies protected and covered by Almighty God. Nothing and no one can take that away.
Intention and Purpose
I find so much reassurance from this truth.
- Because God formed each person with intention and purpose, each life holds value and dignity.
- God knows us personally and deeply and has formed us with care and for significance
- God designed us with a specific plan which began long before our birth.
- We can trust God’s perfect design and plan for our lives.
- He crafted us with precision and love.
Perhaps, I, more than anyone, need to receive this message today. As I ponder the beauty and wonder of Him, I more clearly see the beauty and wonder in each of His sons and daughters.
Do you feel frail? Has time or circumstance temporarily robbed you of dignity and worth? No fear!!! God’s intention and purpose for you holds fast. With hearts of gratitude may we again recognize His miraculous work in creating and sustaining us.
Even Job in the midst of the most difficult times declared,
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
Job 33:4
This verse also speaks of you, beautiful and precious saint. May you see God’s divine brushstrokes over your life, bringing hope and encouragement through His wonderful intention and purpose for you.
**********
You may find this blog encouraging as well!
Find Your Identity in Christ
Awesome message! Very inspiring and encouraging. Makes me want to carry on to fulfill what God has planned for me.