Each Wednesday I lead a Bible study at 5 pm, followed by a church-wide dinner at 5:45 pm. This week our Bible study topic is Embracing Your Uniqueness. In today’s newsletter, I’d like to explore this topic.
Many of us have the following psalm nearly memorized because we’ve heard it repeated so many times:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
—Psalm 139:14
I’ve always wondered— why are we fearfully made?
I understand why we are wonderfully made. That makes sense to me. God made each of us wonderfully unique. God loves each one of God’s creation. We are, at our most true selves, wonderful.
But fearfully? Hmm…
This week I did some digging into the Hebrew word used for fearfully.
I learned that there is a close parallel between fear and a magnificent display of power.
Have you ever stood close to the base of a waterfall where you could literally feel its power? It’s an awesome feeling, right? And also a little scary…
The Hebrew word נוֹרָא֗וֹת should be understood in a similar way.
When God made you, that was a magnificent display of God’s power.
This word is used only four other times in the Old Testament. In those other verses it is translated as awesome. For example, in psalm 65:5 we are told—
You answer us with awesome (נוֹרָא֗וֹת) and righteous deeds, God our Savior.
–Psalm 65:5
God created you in an act of awesome power!
What can we conclude from this study?
God thinks you’re awesome.
You were made with an awesome display of power. And you are wonderful in God’s eyes.
Indeed, no two people are alike. God made us all uniquely. And God loves our uniqueness. I wonder– do you celebrate your uniqueness in the same way God does? Or do you try to blend in and disguise the unique parts of you?
My encouragement to you: Celebrate who you are and the unique way God formed you.
You are wonderful. And wonderfully awesome.
We’ll continue to explore this and other particular ways God made you during our Bible study tomorrow.
Also, this Sunday will be very special.
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper alongside churches from all over the world. I’ll preach about a tower that was built to reach the heavens.
Also, the children’s choir will be performing at both services.
AND we will host a reception for Bailey Beam in the Fellowship Hall between services.
I can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
—Pastor David
