From Nothing Into Something

Psalms 139:13-16 (The Message)

"Oh yes, You shaped me first inside, then out;

You formed me in my mother's womb.

I thank You, High God-

You're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration-

what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

You know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book,

You watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before You,

the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

This verse is so over used in girl's Bible studies and youth conferences- and I mean rightly so.  But sometimes this becomes so cliche´ and redundant that we don't really stop and think about it.  So I switched it to The Message version which takes this verse to such a deeper level and gave me a new perspective on it that I absolutely love!

First off, this verse is a great encourager and one to remember when you're self-esteem is down and you need to be reminded how beautiful you are (even though true beauty comes from the inside-- but that's a whole other blog).  

Anyways, I love the phrase "I was sculpted from nothing into something".  Like I know how I was before Jesus came into my life, and let's just say I never want to go back to that.  My worst day as a believer is WAY better than any of my good days without Jesus.  So I know how true this verse has been in my life because I once was nothing (and still am without Jesus).  But He has come in and changed my life into something.  There is a purpose for my life and a reason He has put me on this Earth (and same goes for you too!).  I'm not perfect and have it all together, I still screw up and feel like I'm nothing sometimes, but God always reminds me that there is so much more to life than I could ever dream.  He has made me (and still is making me) into something that He can use for HIS glory-- not mine!

Isaiah 64:8 

"But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."

This verse goes along so well, because we have to allow ourselves to be the clay in the hands of God. If we never become the clay, how can He make us into something beautiful?

The other phrase I really love is "the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day".  As a senior in high school, I'm freaking out.  I have no idea what I'm going to do and when I do figure out a plan for my life, what about if it isn't God's plan? Where am I supposed to go to college? What am I supposed to major in? What if I don't get in? What if what I want isn't what God wants for my life? and the list of question goes on and on.... But this verse tells me that God knows exactly what the plan is.  He's the only one that knows the past, present, and future so why am I freaking out...?

My trust is in Him-- the one that knows best.  He is forever granting me peace and reassuring me that He is going to guide me and be with me every step of the way.  

And on the days I start to feel like I'm nothing... He reminds me that I am something!

Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."