“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good words, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
Society tries to persuade women to look grouped together, pushing and pressuring us to conform. With constant images of how to look, including haircuts, fashion, weight, make-up, and more, we’re bombarded with the ideal woman.
But looking alike in our outward appearance doesn’t make women all alike on the inside. None of us are created exactly like someone else, not even individuals who may be mirror images of each other, born as twins, triplets, or more in multiple births. Looking like someone else on the outside doesn’t change the uniqueness inside.
While the world is trying to convince us to conform on the outside, God is more concerned with what is taking place on the inside of us. In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul urges, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Still, many seek to conform on the outside to look like the crowd. Copycat images trend around the world. It’s easy to see, too, looking back in history, how generations are marked by particular styles in haircuts, fashion, and even attitudes.
Attitudes are adapted to imitate the same ways of behavior, actions, and expressions, masking our own distinctive personalities. But even so, it doesn’t erase the individuality carefully designed by God, our Creator, in each one of us.
We are handmade by God, as Psalm 119:73 describes: “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commands.”
We’re Handmade, Not Mass-produced
What is handiwork and what does it mean to be handmade? It’s simply something created by hand. Handmade items bear the mark of their creators because no one else’s designs look exactly like the style of items they create.
Even more so with God, we are made to reflect His image. Genesis 1:27 explains, “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
Unlike some may believe, humans are not mass-produced by God in a factory-like atmosphere, formed in a ready-made mold. Rather, Psalm 139:13 tells us He is personally hands-on in creating each one of us: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
God Has Plans for Us
Not only has God handmade each one of us, but He also thought out and planned each one of our days before we were even formed in the womb. That’s how much time and effort God puts into each one of our lives.
Psalm 139:16 describes how “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”
We Belong to Him
Not only are we each handmade by God, but because Jesus paid for our sins and we receive His gift of salvation, we belong to Him. Our lives have priceless worth to God.
Isaiah 43:1 describes how God sees each one of us who belong to Him: “But now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.’”
We belong to Him. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 explains that Jesus claims us as His own, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him.”
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
Thank you for my life, for making me by hand in Your image! “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/LoveTheWind
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Looking for authentic conversations about how to deal with body image, insecurity, and comparison issues as a Christian woman? The Compared to Who? Podcast is the show for you! Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like dieting, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, body dysmorphia, and more from a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered perspective.
Originally published Monday, 12 February 2024.
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