Mary (not her real name) is a married middle-aged mother of 2 young pre-school children. She is a good wife and mother, yet something is troubling her. During pastoral therapy Mary mentioned that she is a mistake; her teenage parents never wanted her. Her mom had to fall out of school and her family, in general, were looked down upon by the community. Because of the constant reminder that she was an unwanted pregnancy, Mary presents with feelings of rejection, unworthiness and inadequacy. “Perhaps,” she said, “it would have been better for everyone if I was not born.”
But what if she was not born? Would the world that she presently influences have been better or worse of? Perhaps this question can be rephrased to “What would the world have lost if Mary was not born?” While we are busy, let us follow this line of thought, “What would the world have lost if YOU were not born?”
First things first. You are not a mistake. You can’t be. Ephesians 1:4-5 states a powerful truth, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” God chose you, long before the foundations of this world.
Psalm 139:14-17 reads, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 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 to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!”
Brother/sister, you are not a mistake and you are not unwanted. You are here because God lovingly willed you to be. You are unconditionally loved by God. You are forgiven because Jesus set you free. You are part of the purposes and plans of God.
This world would be poorer indeed if you were not born.
So, rise in His strength, hold your head up high, seek Him and live every moment to His glory.