Day 21

“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, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” — Psalm 139:15-16

Scripture makes clear that no one is an accident at birth. When we were born, God didn’t look down from heaven and say, “Oh my, where did that one come from?” He would have said something like, “Good. Here he or she comes right on schedule.” From the beginning of time, every human being is known by God, and He has a purpose for each of us.

David writes in Psalm 139:13, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...” We are not just random. God made each of us intricately and wonderfully.

Before we were placed in our mother’s womb, we were in the mind of God, to be brought into this world to be loved and to fulfill a purpose. Regardless of how forlorn or bereft we may think ourselves to be, we are included.

In 1 Corinthians, Chapter 6, Paul talks about the Corinthian Christians in their former selves. He speaks of sexual immorality, idolaters, adulterers, prostitutes, homosexual offenders, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers, and having listed all these, he says that is what some of us were, but now we are washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God.

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is a friend of sinners. He had a special place for tax collector, Zacchaeus; Mary Magdalene, possessed by seven demons; the woman of Samaria, married five times and still living in sin. For every one of us, Jesus has a special place, and we dare not categorize or alienate someone because they haven’t come to Christ yet. Every life is meaningful, and people come to Christ as Christ comes to them.

We are first drawn by the Holy Spirit, and when we come humbly in repentance to Christ, He begins a new work in us. God-given desires are placed into our hearts, and little by little, He transforms us into His likeness. He then equips, empowers and guides us to accomplish His agenda in this world. Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to give life and life in all its fullness; that is a purposeful life with lasting joy and deep satisfaction, which could never otherwise be realized but for our willingness to participate in the unique and integral plan God has ordained for each of us from the beginning of time.

Prayer: Dear Lord, this world doesn’t make sense if we didn’t have purpose outside of ourselves and family. some would have everything while others nothing. The need for your work in this world is great. I pray your purpose for me will be accomplished, and that my life will serve to make a difference for your glory.

To reflect upon: In what way(s) have I recently experienced God using me to accomplish His agenda in my life? Are there times when I need to trust and depend on the Lord more in accomplishing His purpose through me?