Your life matters because you were created by God with precision, with purpose, and for a personal relationship with Him.
We, as Christians, believe that life matters. Life is a precious gift from God. Every life is valuable, from the time of conception to natural death. So, we seek to protect life, especially for those most vulnerable, like the unborn.
The Sanctity of Life
This idea, which we refer to as the sanctity of life, is important to Christians. We even have a Sunday that we dedicate to promoting it every year. We usually relate it to the issue of abortion and protecting the unborn, or maybe protecting the elderly or disabled. However, have you ever stopped to make it personal? Have you ever recognized the sanctity and importance of your own life? That’s what I want to focus on for a few minutes today. The unborn, the elderly, the vulnerable in our society are important, but so are you. I want you to leave here today knowing that your life matters.
There are many passages in Scripture that emphasize God’s love and care for His people, and that show how important and valuable we are to Him. But I want to look at Psalm 139:1-16, because it’s one of my favorites. This passage makes it clear that your life is important. It shows that your life matters because you were created by God.
From this passage I notice three things about how God created you:
Frist, your life matters because God created you with precision.
13 For it was You who created my inward parts;
Psalm 139:13-15 (HCSB)
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.
15 My bones were not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
Formed by the Hands of God
In Genesis, we read the creation account, where God first created everything in the world. As we read the account of the first few days of creation, we notice that God spoke things into being. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation,” and plants immediately began to grow. God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures, let the birds fly above the earth, let the earth produce living creatures,” and it was so. Fish, birds, plants, animals all appeared, just by power of His word (Genesis 1:1-25)
Then we get to the part where God creates man. Does God just say, “Let there be man,” and a man appeared? No, He actually forms Adam from the dust of the earth, and He breathes life into him (Genesis 2:7). Then God took a rib from Adam and fashioned it into a woman (Genesis 1:21-22). From the very beginning of creation, we see that mankind is different than every other created thing. Mankind is the only being actually created or formed by the hands of God, with the breath of life breathed into him.
Knit Together in the Womb
We know Adam and Eve were created that way, but what about us? After the creation of Adam and Eve, did God just step back and let all future people be created by natural biological processes? No! According to Psalm 139:13-15, God is actually involved in the creation of every human being. It says that He knits us together in the womb (v.13). I don’t knit, but I do crochet a little. I can’t do anything very complicated, but it amazes me what other people can do with just some yarn and knitting needles or a crochet hook. I can imagine God weaving our parts together just so, and the product is amazing.
In fact, according to the Psalm, we are remarkably and wonderfully made (v.14). God didn’t just set the human reproductive processes in order and let them run their course. We weren’t hidden from Him as we grew in the womb (v.15). He saw us and was with us even before we were born. And He created us just the way that He wanted us. He created you just the way He wanted you.
God Doesn’t Make Mistakes!
I want you to think about that for a moment. We women are good at playing the comparison game. We look at ourselves, and see all the “mistakes.” We are quick to see all the things that we don’t like about ourselves…our body, our personality, our weaknesses. We also look around and think, “If I had her body, or her brain, or her talent, then my life would be better.” But that’s a lie!
God made you with precision, just the way you are. He doesn’t make mistakes. He gave you what He knew you would need to live the life that He called you to. That includes your body, your health, your strengths, your weaknesses. I’m not talking about sinful behavior, which can and should be changed. I’m talking about those things that are a part of you, those things that make you unique, that make you who you are. Instead of focusing on all the things that we don’t like about ourselves, let’s embrace who we are. Let’s figure out how to use what God has given us to become who He wants us to be.
Only then can we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. That’s the second thing I see in Psalm 139 about how God created you.
Next, your life matters because God created you with purpose.
Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began
Psalm 139:16 (HCSB)
God Has a Plan
Before you were ever born, God had a plan for your life. He didn’t just create you and then turn you loose to live however you want. He has a purpose for you. The purpose of your life is not about your happiness or pleasure. It’s not about making money and acquiring things. It’s not even about having a family. Those things are not bad, and you may certainly achieve those things along the way, but they are not God’s primary purpose for your life. God is actually more concerned about who you are than what you do.
God’s Plan Distorted
Going back to the creation account, we read in Genesis 1:26 that God created man in His image. God’s original purpose for mankind was to reflect His image to the world like a mirror. Unfortunately, when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God’s command and eat the forbidden fruit, God’s image in them became distorted or cracked. Have you ever tried to look at yourself in a cracked mirror? The broken mirror will reflect your image, but it won’t look right. Your features will not quite be where they should be, and you may not even be able to recognize yourself. In the same way, God’s image in fallen humanity is distorted, and we are not able to reflect His image to the world in the way that we should.
God’s Plan Restored
However, God has a plan to fix the broken mirror of our hearts so that we can reflect His image as we were designed to. God sent Jesus to save us and redeem us. Jesus gives us a shiny, new heart, one that can properly reflect His image.
So, God’s purpose for your life is to become more like Christ, as we read in Romans 8:29a, “For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), so as we become more like Christ, we are fulfilling God’s purpose of reflecting His image to the world.
Finally, your life matters because God created you for a personal relationship.
He Knows Everything about You
He is not some distant being who is uninvolved in His creation. He knows you personally. In fact, God knows everything about you.
1 Lord, You have searched me and known me.
Psalm 139:1-6 (HCSB)
2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
You understand my thoughts from far away.
3 You observe my travels and my rest;
You are aware of all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.
5 You have encircled me;
You have placed Your hand on me.
6 This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
God knows your actions before you do them (v.2, 3), your thoughts before you think them (v.2), and your words before you say them (v.4). He knows you better than you know yourself. We can’t even comprehend God’s knowledge and His thoughts about us.
Some might find it unsettling to know that God has such a perfect knowledge of them, because it means that we can’t hide anything from God. He knows our deepest, darkest thoughts. However, I find it comforting because it means that I can be real with God. I don’t have to hide anything from Him because He knows it already. I don’t have to wear a mask with Him or pretend to be someone I’m not. His love for me will never change because He knows everything about me and loves me anyway.
He Is with You Everywhere You Go
7 Where can I go to escape Your Spirit?
Psalm 139:7-12 (HCSB)
Where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I go up to heaven, You are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
9 If I live at the eastern horizon
or settle at the western limits,
10 even there Your hand will lead me;
Your right hand will hold on to me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me,
and the light around me will be night”—
12 even the darkness is not dark to You.
The night shines like the day;
darkness and light are alike to You.
This is saying that we can’t run away from God, and we can’t hide from Him. No matter how far we travel in any direction, God is already there. No matter where we try to hide from Him, He is there with us.
Again, many may find this troubling because they want to hide certain behavior from God. But it’s a comfort to me knowing that I will always be in God’s presence. As the Psalm says, His hand will always be there to guide me and to guard me (v.10). I never have to be lonely or afraid knowing that He’s there.
Your Life Really Does Matter!
So, I want you to know that you are important. You life matters because you are created by God. He created you with precision, making you exactly who He wants you to be. He made you with purpose, that you might become more like Christ and reflect His image to those around you. And He created you for a personal relationship. He knows everything about you and He will be with you everywhere that you go. Your life really does matter!
The women’s group in my church hosted a baby shower to collect donations for our local crisis pregnancy center, the Shiloh Center in Harrisonville, Missouri. We had a great time of food, fun, and fellowship. Most importantly, we collected a generous amount of donations that will bless many women and babies in our community. This blog post is the devotion that I gave at the shower.
The mission of the Shiloh Center is to offer “compassionate care to individuals facing pregnancy related issues by offering resources and practical assistance for life-affirming choices.” They do this by offering pregnancy tests and sonograms, counseling, spiritual support and guidance, parenting classes, as well as meeting physical needs by providing clothes, diapers, and other baby supplies. Ultimately, they are saving lives by encouraging women to choose life for their babies.
