June 13

No Mistakes

He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will …  ––Ephesians 1:5

Every once in a while I run into a guy whose mom or dad said to him, “I wish you’d never been born.” Just brutal, and so, so not God. You were not a mistake, or even a “surprise baby” to God. And as an aside, no one is ever born at the “wrong” time. God knew exactly what He was doing, when He was doing it, and why He was doing it when He conceived you. 

Today we think of the moment that the sperm penetrates the egg as the “moment of conception.” Physically, yes. But spiritually, the Word says God “chose us before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Does this mean we were floating around in spirit form before we were sent into our earth suits? I don’t think so (though some theologians do). Rather, it means that God conceived us—decided to create us—before we were physically conceived. In simple terms: You were not a mistake. 

It’s tempting to downplay the things we experienced as kids. It’s seen as masculine to brush off a rough childhood, and noble to say it doesn’t define who we are today. Recent studies in brain science and personality development, however, have shown that the most formative period is not 0-6 years (which is what we’ve been told for decades), but from conception to 2 years old. If we are conceived in unwelcome circumstances, that can actually negatively affect us in the womb. And by the age of two, a child’s brain is already 80% developed, and has been making around one million new connections every second.

You were not a mistake, a surprise, a disappointment, or a burden to the Father. Hear that (some of you really need to hear it). So while your physical conception might have been unwanted by your human parent(s), it most definitely was NOT by your heavenly Parent. God doesn’t make mistakes. Walk in the reality that the one true Father predestined you to live now, here, right where you are. 

Lord, help me walk in the assurance that I am not a mistake. Thank You, Father!

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The first 1001 critical days – promoting your baby’s development