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Purpose, Worth and Wellness, Right Where You Are

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how God transforms nothing much into something incredible

June 7, 2021 · In: inspiration

Feeling less-than or hopeless? Let’s talk about how God transforms nothing much into something incredible, what we lack into something beyond what we can even imagine.

woman shielding eyes with hand in desert

Rejection burns. Loss aches. The worst case scenario happens. The news isn’t welcome.

You’re out of options, out of time, out of patience, out of funds, out of luck. 

Not good enough is the mantra that goes through your mind.

Maybe it’s out there on display for the whole world. Or maybe it’s a heartache no one else can see.

When was the last time you hit rock bottom?

desert flowers with text: Beauty from Ashes - How God Transforms Us

I remember the day, a little over a year ago, where I was screaming out to God and my steering wheel. A string of bad news left me feeling powerless and defeated. His response to me? “I do my best work with nothing.” It’s something he put on my heart that I keep going back to.

Since then? A pandemic, uncertainty, schools shut down, loneliness, what has felt like a million “no’s” and rejections, the call to stare down my privilege and ignorance, and disappointments.

The other day I came upon this description of God in Romans 4:17 (NIV) again: “the God…who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” 

This is as striking to me now as the first day I read it. “Not,” I’m familiar with. Many moments of “not”. Not the prettiest, smartest, or most popular. Often not the chosen candidate. Not getting the answers I hoped to hear. Usually not the one with the right words in the moment. Not the one with the most confidence or the rock-solid plan or the ideas. 

stream through greenery with mountains in the background

How can God possibly work with us in our lack?

Because the God who created us and the world and everything in it – he is not confined to the limits we are. That means that no matter how low we sink, he is still capable, still all-powerful, still working to turn things around for our good. 

There’s no rock bottom that is too low for God. There’s no such thing as hopeless with him.

Time after time, the Bible talks about transformation – fully changing the most hopeless and desperate of situations into something remarkable. God transforms nothing much into something incredible, literally. 

How God transforms nothing to something – Scriptures about transformation in the Bible

Think God can’t work miracles in your life? Here are clear pictures of what our God can do:

Genesis 1:2, Job 38 – He designed and measured and created our world out of water and darkness and empty earth.

Genesis 2:7 – He made man out of dust.

2 Kings 4:1-7 – He fills what is empty and provides money where there is none.

Isaiah 41:17-20 – He turns wastelands into groves of trees and puts pools of water and streams in deserts.

Isaiah 43:18-19 – He’s in the business of doing new things: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)

Ezekiel 37:1-14 – He turns dry bones into an army.

John 2:1-11 – He turns water to wine.

2 Kings 4:8-37; Mark 5:35-43; John 11:38-44; John 20 – He brings the dead to life.

How God transforms nothing to something – How does God transform us?

Isaiah 61:1-3, 7 – He gives beauty for ashes and joy for mourning. He gives us portions and inheritance for our shame and disgrace.

Romans 3:23-24 – He forgives the fallen (all of us). 

Romans 6:5-10 – He brings us from death to life, from slaves to sin to free in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:20-25 – He makes the wisdom of the world foolishness and fools wise.

2 Corinthians 3:18 – He transforms us into his image.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – He makes us into new creations in Christ. 

Philippians 3:21 – He will someday transform our earthly bodies into heavenly ones.

All that said – don’t give up.

Don’t discount or discredit God’s ability or his goodness.

He will come through for you, in ways you can’t even imagine yet. And you’ll have a transformation story of your own to tell. 

To go with this topic, I have to suggest listening to the wonderful song, “Graves into Gardens” by Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship.

How about you? How have you seen God make incredible transformations in your life?

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Photo Credit:

1 – Katerina Kerdi on Unsplash

2 – Michael Louie on Unsplash

3 – Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

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Comments

  1. Ely says

    June 24, 2021 at 7:36 am

    In this pandemic, I had also lost my job and I was unable to handle the rejection in interviews. It was really hard for me to get over it.
    Nice to hear your views .. We always blame GOD while struggling with something… I have also learnt in the past two years that tomorrow will be better than today.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • whatyoumakeit says

      June 26, 2021 at 2:47 pm

      I’m so sorry to hear that. It has been a ridiculously challenging couple of years. Grateful God goes with us through it, and accepts us even when we are rejected by others. Hang in there, Ely!

      Reply

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📚 FAVORITE READS OF 2022: (save for later!) 📚

ENCOURAGING: Known by @aubsamp 
ENLIGHTENING: Wintering by Katherine May 
PERSPECTIVE: Growing Slow by @jenniferdukeslee 
PRACTICAL: Fervent by @priscillashirer 
EYE-OPENING: Inspired by Rachel Held Evans
FLAVOR: Taste by Stanley Tucci
HISTORICAL: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray 
RECOMMENDED: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by @johnmarkcomer 
ROMANTIC: American Royals III: Rivals by Katherine McGee
HEARTBREAKING: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
GRIEF: What Cannot Be Lost by @melissazaldivar 
REREAD: Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

In case you’re wondering…
I read 31 last year
And I’ve read 7 so far this year 📚

What books are you loving lately? Leave them below so we can generate a huge list of recommendations! 

#readersofinsta #readerslife #booklover #bookish #bookstagram #faithjourney #christianbooks #christianauthor #ilikebigbooksandicannotlie #readinglist2023 #toberead #booktokbooks
While everyone has their eyes on THAT biography đź‘€ think about this:

Sometimes a feeling creeps of being a spare part to God, a useless cog in a finely-tuned machine. A worry of not being _________ (fill-in-the-blank) enough to be useful. (Smart? Talented? Strong?)

What if purpose is reserved for the most faithful, the best of the best? Maybe some of us only get put to work if God had no one else to send.

These were lies that built up over time for me, situated on the faulty foundation of a wrong view of who God is; cemented with shame, fear, and feelings of inadequacy.

Here’s the problem: We often gauge our journeys and our value based on someone else’s life and what she’s doing. “If God saw me as useful and valuable,” we think, “he would do for me what he’s done for her.”

And we build our own individual kingdoms, ones with crumbling walls and shaky floors. Meanwhile, God’s purpose for us has always involved us playing our own parts as we work alongside each other to build his kingdom.

There are glorious parts to play, and then there’s the not so glorious parts. There are seasons that are fun and joyful, and ones that are unexpected or downright difficult.

But we can take confidence that God doesn’t make any spare parts. And he turns our worldly ideas of “useful” and “valuable” on their heads. Who are we to even make that call?

1 Corinthians 12 is where I go when I have a hard time with this. Here’s an excerpt (but go read the whole thing): 

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let us renew our minds about what we find valuable, about our own value, and about her value. And let us move away from the individual and work toward the common good. 

Now I want to know: what’s something you’re good at? What do you bring to the table?

#spare #bibleverse #bibleversedaily #shereadstruth #womenintheology #womensministry #lifegivingsquares #faithjourney
My word of the year is… R E A C H . rēch : v My word of the year is…

R E A C H .

rēch : 
verb
1. to extend; to pick up and draw toward
2. to get as far as
3. to encompass, make an impression on, communicate with
4. to hand over, pass

noun:
1. a continuous stretch or expanse
2. extent or range especially of knowledge or comprehension

This year, I plan to extend my arms out to be close to the God and family and friends and community I love. I want to pass on my faith to my kids and those who come into contact with me. I hope to make an impression with my book this fall. 

Reaching up, reaching out, expanding my reach physically, mentally, and spiritually. It’s time to stretch a little.

How about you? Make your own word mood board below - a word or group of words you hope this year will feel like.

Also - is it weird to make a mood board of photos from your life? These are vibes I want to take with me into 2023! 

#wordoftheyear #newyear2023🎉 #goals2023 #faithjourney #faithforward #womenintheology #christianwomen #shereadstruth #blessedisshe #hertrueworth #worthywomen
This trend, but make it baby ❤️ Truly some of This trend, but make it baby ❤️

Truly some of the sweetest moments have happened in the past few weeks. There’s nothing quite like a baby drifting off to sleep in your arms. They nuzzle close. Their eyelids droop. They nod off, comfortable and warm. They feel absolutely safe with you. 

Sleep is one of the most vulnerable states. As a mom of littles who refuse to sleep if they have a scary movie villain on the brain, or even as a woman who can have irrational anxiety, I know this to be true: it’s very difficult to doze off with your guard up.

David talks about sleep in psalms like this one: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” - ‭‭Psalm ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬. This comes from a man who spent much of his life on the run, hunted down by assassins. How could he possibly find peace? 

In a post-2020 world, with every year, we’re both longing for relief but also apprehensive, waiting for another shoe to drop, another disaster to hit. How do we make it through, without toxic positivity or overwhelming anxiety? Know you are held by God, who loves you dearly and values you highly. You’ll be held, whatever comes. 

When we know we’re gently protected and held, we can let down our guard too. The doubts and fears, while maybe still there, don’t have to win out. We can release. We can rest. And with practice, as we watch how God comes through, maybe we can surrender more readily the next time. Life may not get easier, but surrender just might. 

What’s something you’re looking forward to or hoping for this year?

#graceupongrace #acuriousfaith #faithjourney #shedelights #blessedisshe #lampandlight #soulscripts #proverbs31ministries #womensministry #bibleverseoftheday #bibleversedaily #wellwateredwomen #womenoftheword #womenlivingwell #sheworkshisway #hertrueworth
My Word of the Year for 2022 was “delight,” bu My Word of the Year for 2022 was “delight,” but it should have been…

…”unexpected”.

There were wonderful unexpected things that brought delight. 

There was unexpected loss that brought grief and pain.

There were unexpected challenges that seemed insurmountable at the time.

I have an attempted goals planner that barely saw its way into March. I can only echo the verse that says:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love New Year’s Eve, and all the hope and goals and excitement it can bring. I try to look ahead with intention. But truly, we never really know what to expect in the upcoming year. 

Here’s what I know: everything we didn’t think we could make it through this past year, we did. We made it to where we are now. And God, who establishes our steps, is walking right alongside us through it all.

Whatever 2023 has to bring, it won’t beat us. We’ll keep moving forward confidently. We’ll grow.

Happy New Year, dear friend. Thank you for meeting me here, through the good and the bad. Let’s keep moving forward and growing together.

Do you have a Word of the Year or goals for 2023? Let me know below! I’ll share mine soon.

#wordoftheyear #newyear2023 #happynewyear2023 #godsplannotmine #womensministry #agodlylady #daughterofdelight #graceupongrace #givemejesus #thepointedlife #nye2023 #nye2022 #dailydevotional #coffeeandjesus #faithjourney

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