I’ve shared in previous posts that I am an avid gardener. Although I often question my sanity when faced with the ever-changing weather of Central Oregon.

My very favorite thing about gardening and being in nature is observing God’s amazing creativity.

His infinite imagination and attention to the finest details of His masterpiece.

Last week, I passed a neighbor’s garden and picked a few dried poppy seedpods.

Have you ever taken a few minutes to look closely?

It’s fascinating!

The pods are teacup shaped, each wearing a little top hat, completely enclosed. All around the rim of the pod are small needle-sized holes.

When you shake a dry pod, the seeds inside sprinkle onto your hand, like black pepper sprinkled on scrambled eggs.

The pod’s design is so intricate, so delicate, and obviously specific to holding the seeds in place until the perfect time of release – a gentle wind that spreads them across the yard and neighboring fields.

God’s creative beauty on grand display.

He didn’t only expend His creative power on nature; He turned the same mastery to the formation of His sons and daughters.

In Psalm 139:14 we are reminded,

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

New International Version (NIV)

We (you) are fearfully and wonderfully made.

As women, we face the ever-present clamor to conform to the world’s unrealistic and ever-changing standard.

We place unreasonable burdens on ourselves that drive us to perfectionism, hyper-busyness, and desperate overachievement. All done in the name of being a capable/accomplished multi-tasking woman.

Family and friends, although many times unknowingly, challenge us to perform – to meet their constantly shifting needs. Be the nurturing loving mom, the supportive daughter, the available best friend, the drop it all and meet the needs of all those around us woman.

Yet in the quietness of our hearts, we struggle because these activities don’t fill our need to be valued or help us define our purpose. In fact, the constant movement and activity bring exhaustion, isolation, doubt, and fear.

If we are fearfully and wonderfully made, why do we struggle with aligning our perspectives, our actions, and beliefs with God’s truth?

Why are our hearts dry and searching?

Why do doubts and fear chase us?

The Bible shares a story in the book of John that may help bring light to this struggle.

(24) I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. (25) Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

John 12:24-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

When we struggle with mistaken identity and misaligned perspective, we must consider that it could be caused by an unwillingness to die to self. An unwillingness to relinquish control of our lives. An unwillingness to surrender our plans and desires.

Jennie Allen in her book, Restless – Because You Were Made for More shares,

The kind of life you want lies on the other side of death.

I never noticed the hope in it until my heart was completely his (God). Before we begin to dream, there is one foundation that must exist: surrender.

Sisters, it’s not about what we do. It’s not about our performance. The answer to the dilemma rests in our willingness to surrender to the God that created us. And if we are honest with ourselves, surrender is not something we like or want to do.

Jennie Allen goes on to share,

Our mattering doesn’t depend on a stellar performance. We matter because we are children of the living, breathing, reigning God of the universe. We matter because we were bought with the blood of the son of our Father God. He set us in our spots and in our time. He numbered our days and counts our hair. And we matter because he says we matter.

We have value because we were given breath by God.

We have value because Jesus sacrificed the glory of heaven and surrendered His life – dying for us.

We have value because the Holy Spirit indwells us.

We have value because Jesus gives us purpose – being His audible voice, His hands and feet.

When you sense anxiety or the desire to perform, the pull to be more, do more, or give more – stop.

Stop and consider how does what I’m feeling align with Jesus’ truth about me.

Stop and remember that you are fearfully and wonderful made.

 

Be Blessed,

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