{"id":35503,"date":"2023-07-01T03:30:45","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T10:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=35503"},"modified":"2023-06-19T12:09:55","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T19:09:55","slug":"july-1-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/07\/01\/july-1-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"July 1, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Designed. Created. Loved.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cYou turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, \u2018You did not make me\u2019? Can the pot say to the potter, \u2018You know nothing\u2019?\u201d<\/em> Isaiah 29:16 NIV<\/p>\n

I love to create things. It could be anything. Something to eat, a card, a wall decoration, or a design. When I am finished with my creation, I look at it with the utmost sort of adoration. In my eyes, it\u2019s perfect (usually) and even when I realize my creation\u2019s imperfections, I can\u2019t help but love it. I made it. It is a part of me; why wouldn\u2019t I love it?<\/p>\n

Sometimes I literally stare at what I have made in a sort of happy delight and wonder. If ever anyone was to criticize my creation or even if someone was to make a minor suggestion for the object\u2019s good, with the only intention of bettering and making it more to their liking, I find that I become defensive. I find it offensive that someone thought the thing I poured myself into wasn\u2019t good enough, didn\u2019t measure up, or was ugly.<\/p>\n

Then I thought about Jesus.<\/p>\n

I thought about the way that we pick ourselves, and each other, apart.<\/p>\n

I thought about how we always want to change people and change ourselves.<\/p>\n

I thought about how those people are God\u2019s very own creation that He poured Himself into with love.<\/p>\n

How dare we? How dare we say that God\u2019s creation isn\u2019t good enough, doesn\u2019t measure up, or is ugly?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that God doesn\u2019t make junk. It\u2019s also true that He loves us EXACTLY how He made us. How could He not? He designed and crafted us!<\/p>\n

When I wish that I look different or act different or sound different, or that I could have a different life, I think it breaks His heart, because I\u2019m His creation. He poured detail, life, and intricacies into me that He didn\u2019t pour into anyone else. I am the creation that He loves. I am the creation that He chose. I am the creation that He made, and He looks at me with the utmost adoration and delight.<\/p>\n

Father, I proclaim that you are a good Creator and Designer. Thank You for designing me to be uniquely me. Help me to view myself through Your eyes and not the eyes of this world. May I recognize the value You have placed on me, and may I walk worthy of it. Help me learn to love myself. Thank You for seeing me as valuable, precious, and worthy of admiration.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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