I’d
venture that 95% of all women have looked in the mirror at some time in their
lives and asked this question: why? Why did God
make me like I am?
Usually that question is followed by
self-demeaning words or thoughts. My nose is too big. My body is pear-shaped.
My hand doesn’t work. I can’t walk. I am blind and have so many hardships
because of it. I am deaf, and I have to use a language most people don’t even
know. I’m confined to a wheelchair. I don’t like my freckles. I got acne in my
youth and have scars. I suffer from chronic pain. The list is endless!
Some of the complaints are completely
understandable. People do have
difficulties. A few have genuine trouble trying to live on any level of normality. Others are
just picking at supposed “flaws.” Who cares how big your nose is or about your
freckles? Only you. (Some of us actually like
big noses and freckles. Did you know that?)
But ... almost every woman on the planet
has the same problem. She asks why God made her like she is—or allowed her to
have a sickness, accident, pain, or disability.
Why,
indeed?
I am glad to have an answer for you. It’s
maybe not something you’ve considered, because you’ve been conditioned by
modern values and trends. For example, my own body shape was considered gorgeous back in the time of the ancient
Greeks. It came back into style in the 1600s. (I’ve often thought I was born a
few centuries too late!) I’m joking, of course.
Every
single person on this earth is here for a purpose.
It’s the same purpose for everyone. No one is here for any other reason. Are
you curious?
Moses said, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore,
nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue (Exodus 4:10). God countered, Who hath made man's
mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I
the LORD? Now
therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say (Exodus 4:11-12).
Joshua had very little self-confidence, yet God wanted him to lead a
nation. God, through Moses, said to him, Be
strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into
the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee (Deuteronomy 31:23).
Gideon put out a fleece twice to make doubly sure God was going to go with
him.
And Gideon said unto God, If thou
wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece
of wool in the floor (Judges 6:36-37a). Of course, God honored his faith and made
Israel victorious.
The man was born blind. The Jewish leaders
accused him of sinning—or his parents. Jesus
answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of
God should be made manifest in him (John 9:3).
The Apostle Paul tells the story of
his unnamed physical problem. Yet of
myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to
glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think
of me above that which he seeth me to
be, or that he heareth
of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I
besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:
for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 5b-10).
So, what
is our purpose? Why are we made the way we are?
This
Bible passage will give us perspective: For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's
womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that
my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made
in secret, and curiously
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet
being unperfect; and in thy book all my
members were written, which
in continuance were fashioned, when as
yet there was none of them (Psalm 139:13-16). From your mother’s
womb, God was making you just like He wanted you to be. Your big nose, your
freckles, your deformed hand, or your blind eyes were all made by Him for a
holy purpose. God sees you in a very different way than we see ourselves. He
made us just the way we are for a purpose.
Some
girls and women are mad at God. They’re not a bit content. I can understand.
Every epoch has an ideal of beauty, and when we fall short—most of us—we feel
disappointed. Why am I always carrying extra pounds? Why aren’t I six feet tall
and size 2? Why do I have a lopsided smile? We could go on and on. (I’ll tell
you a secret: even women who meet the ideal aren’t happy with something about
themselves. I’ve known a few of them.)
I
think we need to switch our mind-chip from our thoughts to God’s—even about our
own bodies, talents, and minds. For my
thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Since God’s thoughts are
higher and His ways are always better, we need to quit questioning them, accept the
way we’re made as for a divine purpose, and actually embrace who we are. For
me, that means it’s okay to be shorter, a little heavier, and not as gorgeous
as my dreams. God has a reason He made me like I am!
God reveals several of His
purposes in His Word:
- Obedience—Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
- Holiness—To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13).
- Testimony—Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
- Glorifying God—That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:6). For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:20).
When
we accept this, it’s liberating!
