Awesomely and Wonderfully Made

The Psalmist's declaration, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalms 139:14, ESV), resonates deeply within the heart of theology. This profound statement encapsulates a fundamental truth about human nature and our relationship with our Creator. It speaks to each individual's intricate design, purposeful crafting, and inherent worth, fashioned by the hand of the Almighty. Yet, in the face of our perceived inadequacies and failures, many struggle to reconcile this lofty view of human potential with the reality of their lived experiences.

This blog post explores the theological implications of being "awesomely and wonderfully made" from God's perspective. We will delve into the Scriptures, examining the tension between our divine design and our fallen nature and how this tension is resolved through Christ's redemptive work. By analyzing Biblical examples, theological concepts, and practical applications, we aim to reaffirm the truth of our inherent worth and potential for service in God's kingdom.

The Divine Craftsmanship: Understanding Psalms 139:13-14

To fully grasp the significance of being "awesomely and wonderfully made," we must first examine the context and meaning of Psalms 139:13-14. The passage reads:

"For you formed my inward parts;

    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

    Wonderful are your works;

    my soul knows it very well." (ESV)

This poetic expression of God's intimate involvement in human creation speaks to several key theological concepts:

1. Divine intentionality: The use of active verbs like "formed" and "knitted" emphasizes God's deliberate and personal involvement in the creation of each individual. This is not a distant, impersonal act of creation but a hands-on, meticulous crafting.

In this context, the term 'fearfully' doesn't denote terror but rather a sense of reverence and awe. It suggests that humans are made in such a way as to inspire wonder at the Creator's work, invoking a sense of reverence and awe in the audience.

The focus on 'inward parts' and being knitted together in the womb emphasizes the value of human life from its earliest stages and the uniqueness of each individual, making the audience feel special and irreplaceable.

4. Knowledge and relationship: The Psalmist's declaration that his soul "knows it very well" implies an innate human capacity to recognize and appreciate our divine origin and design.

This passage aligns closely with the concept of imago Dei—the idea that humans are created in God's image. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (ESV). This foundational doctrine informs our understanding of human worth and potential.

The Fall and Its Impact on Human Potential

While we are indeed "awesomely and wonderfully made," the reality of the Fall and its consequences cannot be ignored. The entrance of sin into the world has profoundly affected our ability to realize and live out our divine design fully. As Paul laments in Romans 7:18-19, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing" (ESV).

This tension between our created nature and fallen state often leads to doubt, insecurity, and a sense of inadequacy. We may struggle to reconcile the lofty vision of being "wonderfully made" with the reality of our failures and limitations. However, it's crucial to understand that the Fall has marred, but not erased, our fundamental identity as image-bearers of God.

Biblical Examples of Human Frailty and Divine Potential

The Scriptures provide numerous examples of individuals who, despite their apparent shortcomings, were used mightily by God. These stories illustrate that our potential for service in God's kingdom depends not on our perfection but on God's grace and transformative power.

1. Moses: As mentioned in the prompt, Moses had a privileged upbringing in Pharaoh's household, yet his actions led him to flee Egypt as a fugitive. In Exodus 3-4, we see Moses's reluctance to accept God's call, citing his lack of eloquence and leadership skills. Yet God saw beyond these perceived inadequacies and used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

2. Paul: Before his conversion, Paul (then Saul) was a zealous persecutor of the early Christian church. In Acts 9, we witness his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ, which led to a complete transformation of his life and purpose. Paul reflects on this in 1 Timothy 1:13-14, "though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (ESV).

3. Peter: Despite being one of Jesus' closest disciples, Peter famously denied knowing Christ three times on the night of His arrest (Luke 22:54-62). Yet, after the resurrection and Pentecost, Peter became a bold preacher and leader in the early church, as seen in Acts 2 and throughout the book of Acts.

These examples demonstrate that God's vision for our potential often surpasses our limited self-perception. They remind us that our past failures or present limitations do not determine our worth and capacity for service but by God's redemptive work in our lives.

Redemption and Restoration: The Path to Realizing Our Potential

The good news of the Gospel is that through Christ's redemptive work, we can realize the potential for which we were created. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (ESV). This transformation is not merely a return to our pre-Fall state but a progressive conformation to the image of Christ.

The process of sanctification plays a crucial role in this journey. As we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are gradually transformed and equipped for service in God's kingdom. Paul describes this process in 2 Corinthians 3:18, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (ESV).

The Theology of Human Potential

From an evangelical perspective, the realization of human potential is intricately linked to our relationship with God and our participation in His redemptive plan. Several key theological concepts inform this understanding:

1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: While God is ultimately sovereign over our lives and calling, we are called to participate actively in the process of growth and service. Philippians 2:12-13 captures this tension: "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (ESV).

2. Spiritual Gifts: The New Testament teaches that every believer is endowed with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8). These gifts represent a divine empowerment to fulfill our potential in specific service areas.

3. The Body of Christ: The metaphor of the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) emphasizes the interdependence of believers and the unique role each individual plays in the body's overall functioning. This underscores the importance of each person's contribution and potential.

4. Eschatological Hope: The full realization of our potential is an eschatological reality. While we strive to grow and serve in our present reality, we recognize that our complete transformation will only be realized in the new creation (1 John 3:2).

Practical Applications: Living Out Our Divine Design

Understanding our status as beings who are "awesomely and wonderfully made" should have profound implications for how we live our lives and engage in kingdom service. Here are some practical applications of this truth:

1. Embracing our Identity in Christ: Rather than being defined by our failures or limitations, we must learn to see ourselves through the lens of our redeemed identity in Christ. This involves regularly meditating on Scriptures that affirm our worth and potential in God's eyes.

2. Cultivating Spiritual Gifts: We should seek to identify, develop, and use the spiritual gifts God has given us. This may involve trying different areas of service, seeking mentorship, and being open to feedback from other believers.

3. Overcoming Self-doubt: When faced with feelings of inadequacy, we can remind ourselves of God's power to work through human weakness. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (ESV).

4. Pursuing Holiness: Recognizing our divine design should motivate us to pursue holiness and Christlikeness in all areas of life. This involves actively cooperating with the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work in our lives.

5. Serving Others: Understanding our own worth and potential should lead us to recognize the same in others. We should encourage and uplift fellow believers, helping them to realize their potential in Christ.

Conclusion: Embracing Our Awesome and Wonderful Design

As we reflect on the truth that we are "awesomely and wonderfully made," we are confronted with a great privilege and a profound responsibility. We are called to steward the potential God has placed within us, recognizing that our capacity for growth and service far exceeds our own limited vision.

The journey of realizing this potential is challenging. We will face doubts, setbacks, and failures along the way. However, we can take comfort in the knowledge that our performance does not determine our worth but by the unchanging love of our Creator. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (ESV).

Let us, therefore, press on with confidence, knowing that the God who fearfully and wonderfully made us is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). May we continually seek to become the people God has equipped us to be, for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.