Episode 183

God spoke life into existence, but he didn’t merely say “Let there be people.” He said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.” God had a special design in mind for mankind—for us to be like him. I’m reminded of something I wrote in my book Longing to Belong, which I’ll quote for you now.

You are beautiful. You belong. You are loved. 

The fourth line of the Manifesto of Acceptance addresses who you are inside and out.

I am wonderfully made. 

You were knit together by the master craftsman, who watched you and wanted you before you were born. Your existence was anticipated and planned by the Creator of the universe, who laid out every moment of your life before a single day had passed. You are a masterpiece with a unique purpose. Declare the fourth line of the Manifesto aloud.

I am wonderfully made. 

Believe it! God made human beings in his image, to be like him. By framing his design for you from the perfect model, God made certain to craft you with precision for a purpose. You are God’s masterpiece, equipped with everything needed to do the incredible things God planned for you to do and to be the complex person he created you to be.

I am wonderfully made. 

This line of the Manifesto may be the most difficult to believe, but that doesn’t make it any less true (p. 94).

That excerpt comes from the chapter called “I Am Wonderfully Made.” I hope you know that. You are indeed wonderfully made because you are made in the image and likeness of God, and that’s pretty wonderful.

God made you with a body, a soul, and a spirit. Your body won’t last forever, but it will be resurrected and glorified just like Jesus. Your soul, which is made up of your mind, will and emotions, is the essence of who you are and it will last forever. Your spirit came alive when you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, which means you carry within you the indwelling presence of God. You are wonderfully complex and eternal, just like God.

If you’d like to check out my book Longing to Belong, you’ll find it on Amazon, Walmart.com, Booksamillion.com and Christianbook.com. It’s also available as an audiobook from Audible, and as a digital download to your Kindle or from the Apple store for your iBooks app. Look for the Longing to Belong Reading Plan on your mobile device via the YouVersion Bible app. Consider purchasing the Longing to Belong Bundle that I designed to help you go deeper in your study and watching the teaching videos that align with each chapter on my Find Joy video podcast.

 

This week’s scripture: Genesis 1:26-28