By Ralen M. Robinson
Read Psalm 139: 13-14
“For you formed my inward parts: you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Created to be, that was the theme for the Youth Gathering this year. As I sat on the bus and traveled through the night to attend the ELCA National Youth Gathering, I was reminded of the incredible strength and resilience of my body. Despite the discomfort of the seat, the twists and turns of my legs, and the jostling of the bus, my body remained sturdy and strong—capable, powerful, and perfectly imperfect.
Our bodies and selves are precious and beautiful. We are built to withstand, create, move through the world, and be a fierce and beautiful light that flickers through the day. We are built to use our voice and proclaim a truth that highlights the female presence and revibrates through the world, speaking truth to power. Women are powerful, strong, and mighty.
How often do we need the reminder that we are perfectly imperfect and created to be ourselves?
We were made in God’s image, and in that beautiful archetype, we are created and equipped to be fearless, bold, and loved beyond all measures. That week, as we stepped, stumbled, rejoiced, prayed, laughed, and worked together, we were reminded that we are created to be brave, authentic, free, disruptive, and disciples of Christ.
When we align ourselves with God, we are threaded together with the Holy Spirit. We are guided to empower ourselves to be fearless, bold, authentic, and any other adjective that encompasses who we are.. With life, duties, obligations, and the multiple hats we wear, we easily forget that we are more than a spouse, a mother, a friend, a daughter, and an occupation. That is only a fraction of who we are.
How often have these roles defined you?
We are all created to stand boldly in our bodies, embracing our rough edges and smooth surfaces. So today, I remind myself that I am enough. You are enough. You are created in the image of God, and that means no mistakes were made when you were born. You are truly one of a kind.
So, in this season of life, take off the multiple hats you wear and dispel anything that is weighing you down and diminishing your spirit; I want you to stand in your beautifully bold body—a body that creates, nurtures, loves, and shines, for you are created to be.
Ralen M. Robinson is a pastor at Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kan. When she is not pastoring, she is pursuing her Doctorate of Ministry in Homiletics, serving as a board member of Child Protective Services of Sedgwick County, and participating in leadership roles in the wider church. Ralen believes her faith and a good pair of shoes can take you a long way.
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