Pack Up the Labels, Unpack the Truth

Week Three – You’re a Piece of Work!

When I was a little girl, I took dance for five years. I enjoyed dancing, and I danced pretty well. But then I watched the Olympics and decided that I would be the next Olga Korbut, so I quit taking dance and attended gymnastics classes. Then I saw Dorothy Hamill win her gold medal in figure skating and decided I would wear the “short and sassy” haircut and be the next Dorothy. Turns out I wasn’t talented enough to be either Olga or Dorothy. And, my hair, with its “Sun In” dyed brassy orange color, did not look like the “Dorothy Do.”

In school, I did okay (except for Math), but I wasn’t one of those “gifted” students. When I looked in the mirror, looking back wasn’t what I considered beautiful; it was just the reflection of an ordinary girl with a nose that I felt was too big for my face. (Thanks, Dad!) I realized that the “plain, average, and ordinary” label fit me, and I began to wear it grudgingly.

Would I never excel at anything? Would I be just average in everything? And would I remain ordinary because I was just plain ole’ ordinary me? Would anyone ever see me as special, beautiful, and unique? Maybe that’s a question you’ve asked yourself. Perhaps you look in the mirror and aren’t impressed with what you see. You may also be wearing the plain, average, and ordinary labels.

But if you are, God’s Word has good news for you and me. Take to heart what Psalm 139:14 says:

“I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.” (HCSB)

You’ve heard the saying, “God don’t make no junk!” Well, we can “know very well,” it’s true. He doesn’t create plain and average. God creates “remarkable” and “wonderful.” In Ephesians 2:10, we read that we are God’s “masterpiece” and “handiwork.” We are creatively made. In other words, you and I are a piece of work!

We are in no way plain, average, and ordinary. God reminds us that He, Creator of the world, fashioned us in His marvelous way. So, take heart and take action! Peel off the plain, average, and ordinary labels (they’re tattered anyway) and replace them with sparkly new labels that say beautiful, unique, special, remarkable, wonderful, and masterpiece. I exceedingly like the masterpiece label, don’t you?

The next time you look in the mirror and believe you’re nothing special, wipe the mirror clean so you can see the spot-on reflection of God’s handiwork. She’s pretty breathtaking!

Heart Moment: Transform your heart and mind with the truth of God’s Word. Write out Psalm 139:14 and Ephesians 2:10 on a card. Underline the words that describe how God made you and place the card with the verses on a mirror so that you can be reminded daily of how special you are. Then, take a moment to write a prayer of praise to your Creator!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you, for you are the Creator of the World! Thank you for loving me and making me your remarkable and wonderful creation. Help me to see and believe your truth of who I am rather than the lies of the world and my feelings.