“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14, NIV).
There was a story I read as a child called You Are Special by Max Lucado. In this story, there is a village of wooden dolls who spend their days giving one another stickers. Golden stars are awarded for impressive achievements, while gray dots are given for mistakes or shortcomings.
You can jump really high or have beautiful paint? Gold star!
You try to jump but fall instead? Gray dot.
One particular doll, Punchinello, never seems to do anything right. No matter how hard he tries, he always falls short, and before long, he is covered in gray dots.
One day, Punchinello meets another doll who has no stickers at all. When others try to give her golden stars, they simply fall off. When they try to give her gray dots, the same thing happens. Astonished, Punchinello asks her how this is possible. She explains that she spends time visiting Eli, the woodcarver who made them, in his workshop at the top of the hill. His opinion matters more to her than anyone else's.
Curious, Punchinello visits the woodcarver himself. There, Eli reminds Punchinello that he is loved, created intentionally, and is special simply because he belongs to his maker. Eli invites him to return and spend time with him each day. As Punchinello begins to believe what his creator says about him, one of his gray dots falls away.
As a young child, this story taught me an important lesson: God's opinion of us matters far more than the opinions of those around us. Yet I find myself clinging to this truth even more as an adult.
Our world is loud, competitive, and constantly encouraging us to compare ourselves with others. We often hear the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses," but comparison extends far beyond material possessions. Sometimes the pressure comes from within, through questions such as: Am I doing enough? Am I accomplishing enough? Am I a good enough parent, spouse, friend, or follower of Messiah?
It can be exhausting trying to measure up to expectations, whether they come from others or from ourselves. But Scripture reminds us that our worth is not determined by our achievements, failures, or the approval of those around us.
In Psalm 139:14, King David declares that he is "fearfully and wonderfully made." The Hebrew word behind "fearfully" comes from the root יָרֵא (yare), which carries the idea of fear, awe, and reverence. It reminds us that God's work in creating human life is worthy of profound wonder. The word translated "wonderfully" comes from the root פָּלָה (palah), which conveys the idea of being extraordinary, distinct, or marvelous.
Together, these words remind us that human life is no accident. We have been intentionally and intricately formed by our Creator. King David's response is not self-praise but worship! He recognizes that the wonder of human life points to the wisdom, power, and majesty of God.
So how can this encourage us today?
Perhaps it begins by asking ourselves whose voice we are allowing to define our worth. Are we collecting “gold stars,” desperately seeking recognition and approval? Or are we allowing the “gray dots” of disappointment, criticism, and failure to convince us we are somehow less valuable?
Psalm 139 reminds us God knows us intimately. He sees our strengths and weaknesses, our successes and struggles. Nothing about us is hidden from Him. And yet, our value as His creation does not fluctuate according to our circumstances or accomplishments.
This does not mean we stop striving to grow, serve, or honor the Lord with our lives. Rather, it means our desire to serve Him flows from gratitude and love instead of a desperate need to prove ourselves worthy.
What a beautiful reminder that we can approach our Creator daily, just as Punchinello visited the woodcarver, allowing His truth to shape how we see ourselves.
Today, may we spend less time counting the “stars and dots” placed upon us by others and more time resting in the truth of God's Word. We are His workmanship, intentionally created, deeply known, and invited into a relationship with Him through Yeshua (Jesus).
After all, the most important voice speaking into our identity is the voice of the One who made us.
Written by Hannah, Life in Messiah Staff Member
Whose opinion carries the most weight in how you see yourself – God’s, others’, or your own?
Like Punchinello visiting the woodcarver, how will spending time with our Creator help reshape the way we see ourselves?
How can we distinguish between striving to honor God with our lives and striving to “earn” His approval?