Simple and Significant

by Colleen Swindoll Thompson

Sometimes the simplest things in our lives are the most meaningful. I did a little project the other day that reminded me about the significance of life. I made a necklace for a friend . . . simple, elegant, and decorated with a few meaningful charms that represent some of her deepest values. To most, it looks like a pretty necklace. But to her and to me, its meaning goes far deeper. The simple necklace turned out lovely. I was delighted to give it to her.

Encouragement from Scripture
Like that simple necklace, your life has meaning far beyond what any eye can behold. God made every part of you with grand significance. Selected verses from Psalm 139 tell us how God created each one of us with unique value.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb. . . .
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . . .
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious . . . are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand. (Psalm 139:13–18 NIV)

You Are Valuable
Notice, there’s no need for me to give great details about what the necklace I made looks like. Particulars such as color and design don’t make it valuable. What the necklace represents makes it valuable. Likewise, Psalm 139 doesn’t mention particulars, such as appearance or achievements. The Lord tells us we are valuable to Him because He created us. There isn’t another necklace like the one I made for my friend. And there’s only one you. Never forget this simple and significant truth.

Comments

[Alyson]

Beautiful. I love this verse, because it reminds me that it was God that designed my little boy with the extra chromosome, not some designed gene combination that my husband and I just happened upon. He was purposeful about my son's design, just like every other child and every other special need.

Blessings,
Alyson

[Colleen Thompson]

Alyson, there is nothing like God's work to help us wade through the mysteries we encounter through life. I have called this passage to mind countless times as well...that GOD is the creator and He's entrusted me with His creation. I find comfort in that. Also, our perspective changes as we settle our soul's on scriptural truth. It's revealed in all you wrote...what a delight it is when a parent come to this understanding; I'm so thrilled you let me know. May God's word continue to be a guide, a voice of reason and truth in years to come. Colleen