DISCOVERING GOD / #3 / You are not a mistake - I planned for you

BIBLE: From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
Acts 17:26 

MESSAGE FROM ANDREA: Do you ever wonder what on earth you are doing here? Are you an accident? Did God even know what He was doing when He put you in your family or made you born in this generation and not another?

It’s quite common to have thoughts about not really fitting in in the world, or in your family, or that you would rather be a different colour or shape - you are not the only one who thinks like this. Growing up I definitely thought I was born to the wrong culture - I always felt like Scottish and English was just so boring and wanted more flavour and colour in who I was. Accepting who I am has been a bit of a journey.

The facts are though, that God created us all ON purpose - you are not a mistake or an experiment - there are things about you being born into your family situation and into this very time in history that are intentional and for GOOD. It can sometimes be really hard to understand if your family situation is difficult or painful or life feels like it has dealt you some pretty hard blows…. 

Part of learning about who we are and how God has created us uniquely is TRUSTING that He knew what He was doing when He made us. He can then start to unfold it to you and help you see His intention in it all.

Go back to your Bible and read the other verses around this one - Paul is speaking to the people of Athens who were very spiritual and worshipped a god, but they just didn’t know who their god was… read Acts 17: 22-28. God’s intention in determining the exact time and place of our birth is for us to seek Him out - to look for Him and find Him - he isn’t far away and He knows what we need in order to connect with Him. Maybe God wants to turn the stuff you struggle with about your life into the very things that draw you towards Him and open your eyes to see that you are ABSOLUTELY the right person, in the right space, at the right time. And you are so loved.

IN YOUR JOURNAL:
[A] Do you know the story of your birth? Write what you know here…

[B] What questions do you have for God around your birth, your family, the country and culture you arrived into?

[C] Spend a few minutes listening to God’s answers - just start writing what comes to mind. It’s ok if you don’t get all the answers today, but it’s so good to be honest with God about what you are feeling and the questions you have. They don't bug Him or make Him mad at all. Start the conversation with Him today and keep coming back to it…