Message Minute (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made)

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." — Psalm 139:14

Did you know your body produces 25 million new cells every second without you doing anything? Or that out of the 117 billion people who have lived on Earth, not one shares your fingerprint? These aren't random facts—they're testaments to the God who created you with incredible intention and care.

We often marvel at mountains, oceans, and stars, but as Augustine noted, "we pass by ourselves without ever wondering." Today, take a moment to marvel at yourself—not out of vanity, but out of reverence for your Creator. You are not an accident! Every part of you—your gender, your body, your personality—was fearfully and wonderfully crafted by God.

Joseph Merrick, born in 1862 with severe physical deformities including an enlarged head and misshapen limbs, spent much of his life displayed in freak shows where people would recoil at his appearance. When hospitalized, his life changed dramatically after a nurse simply smiled at him—the first person to ever do so. This single act of kindness unlocked something within Merrick, who discovered joy in nature and eventually declared himself "happy every hour of every day." His story demonstrates how one small gesture of compassion can profoundly transform a life, reminding us that everyone deserves dignity and kindness regardless of appearance.

No matter what insecurities you carry, God has made you with purpose and love. This truth isn't just for some people—it's for you.

Reflection Question: What part of yourself do you struggle to see as "fearfully and wonderfully made," and how might embracing this truth change how you see yourself?

Prayer: Father, thank You for creating me with such care and intention. Help me to see myself through Your eyes—as someone fearfully and wonderfully made. When I'm tempted to focus on flaws or compare myself to others, remind me that I am Your masterpiece. May I treat others with the dignity that comes from knowing we are all Your creation. Amen.