You Are Made For More

4/17/2024

Written by: Kailee Turner

I have been in church my entire life, but it wasn’t until sophomore year of high school when I was finally starting to truly understand how God views me. Let me say that again a different way: I grew up knowing, trusting, and believing in God, yet it wasn’t until I was 16 that something finally ‘clicked’ for me and now I am continuously craving more of Him as the years progress. I know 16 isn’t old by any means but if you do the math, it took well over a decade to come to this realization. I remember the exact time and place, Monday night D-group. We were doing a prayer walk with different activities and I made it to the mirror station. At the station, we were asked to write down things we didn’t like about ourselves, stare into a mirror for a couple minutes thinking about those things, and then read Psalm 139:14 while turning back to the mirror. I had read this verse so many other times but that night it hit me fully. It reads, 

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

After JUST thinking about my poop-color curls (yes I disliked them growing up), my extra fat on my stomach (in high school?? I wish I could go back to that!) and my shortcomings moments before, it was like the Holy Spirit was poking me saying “HELLO? YOU see these things. Here’s what I see and know about you.” When I turned back to the mirror my vision was blurry because I was crying and then I got to thinking-How often do I discredit myself and disregard what God sees in me? Am I limiting myself because I am so hyper-aware of my ‘shortcomings?’ The answer was and still is sometimes, all the time and absolutely. 

That moment was 10 years ago now, but I still struggle with self-image and knowing my worth from time-to-time, and I know I’m not alone. I don’t think it's our fault though. In a world where the beauty standard is always, impossibly changing, deconstructing faith is rapidly growing, and Godly marriages aren’t the end goal, of course people are struggling with self-image and mental health. 

I am a middle-school teacher and I don’t think there’s any other more awkward, drama-ridden time period than our middle-school years. My students are CONSTANTLY changing relationships (that’s a conversation for another day), clothing brands, or styles just to try and fit in. I’ve had countless conversations about thinking through actions and reminding them that ‘the world doesn’t revolve around you.’ The ever-growing rates of depression and suicidal thoughts in teens are alarming. Because of these things, I often tell my students this phrase: You are loved. You are cherished/worthy. You are here in this school and on this earth for a reason. I’m sure most of you reading this haven’t thought about middle school in years, but I can guarantee you still remember the horrible things people said to you, or that you continue saying to yourself. So here’s YOUR reminder, You are loved. You are cherished/worthy. You are here on this earth for a reason. 

End devotion, great job team. Kidding. It wouldn’t be a devotion without some application. Maybe you are like me, someone who KNOWS God is FOR you, yet still finds yourself falling into the traps of comparison and low self-esteem. Maybe you’ve never called yourself a Christ-follower, but life has pushed you down almost 1 too many times. Or perhaps your mental health is at an all-time low. Whenever I am struggling, this comment has helped change my mindset: the same God who made the entire universe takes the time to know you personally, and he is absolutely in awe of every single thing about you. Maybe you can relate to one, or all of these negative thoughts/experiences, or know someone who does. 

• I wasn’t a good friend and went against my word.
• I hated my outfits and why do I look so fat? Nothing ever fits!!
• I found out my spouse/partner is cheating on me, I’m not good enough.
• I wasn’t chosen for the promotion. 
• I feel ill-equipped to be ____ (fill in the blank with literally any role).
• I was caught self-harming. 
• I’m questioning my faith.

Life is going to happen and these events may transpire or continue in your own lives. Instead of giving into Satan’s lies, what would it look like to start speaking Psalm 139:14 and the above phrase over yourself as you navigate that situation? Look at what’s bolded below and think of it as a conversation between you and God. 

• I wasn’t a good friend and went against my word. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I still love you. 
• I hated my outfits and why do I look so fat? Nothing ever fits!! “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” You are cherished. 
• I found out my spouse/partner is cheating on me, I’m not good enough. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I made you enough. 
• I wasn’t chosen for the promotion. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I know the plans I have for you child. 
• I feel ill-equipped to be ____ (fill in the blank with literally any role). “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” You are here on this earth for a reason. 
• I was caught self-harming. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I will make a way. 
• I’m questioning my faith. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Why are you turning your back on me now? 

I know this is hard. I know it's uncomfortable to shift your perspective, but oh how great the outcome is when you can start implementing it. If you mess up and backtrack, me too. I still do, but I don’t let Satan win. I have included several songs in my devotions over the years and I wanted to include one today. This is a fairly recent song, but if you call Victory home, we’ve sung this quite a lot the last several weeks. Every single time we sing it, I cry because it encapsulates exactly how I envision the above thoughts/conversations with God. Here’s the chorus and the full link is pasted below. I pray this renews your resolve and that you start to recognize how loved, cherished, and worthy you are. 

‘Cause I wasn’t made to be tending a grave
I was called by name
Born and raised back to life again
I was made for more
So why would I make a bed in my shame
When a fountain of grace is running my way
I know I am Yours
And I was made for more'
- "Made For More" by Josh Baldwin

YOU are made for MORE.