I just “sovereignly stumbled” upon two beautiful reflections on how God fearfully and wonderfully makes us (Psalm 139:13-14).

One is a song—by Ellie Holcomb.

The other is a poem—by Gloria Umanah.

The song (see link below) includes a moving recitation of the poem.

Wonderfully Made by Ellie Holcomb 

Here’s a link to the song: Wonderfully Made.

You can learn more about Ellie Holcomb here.

A word of preparation—the words are like the words of a lament psalm—real and raw as a heart cries out honestly and desperately to God…

Lyrics to Wonderfully Made 

It’s two in the morning
And I’m still awake in my bed
And I can’t shake these lies that keep reading
Around in my head

What if I saw me, the way that You see me?
What if I believed it was true?
What if I traded, this shame and self-hatred?
For a chance at believing You

That You knit me together
In my mother’s womb
And You say that I’ve never been
Hidden from You
And You say that I’m wonderfully
Wonderfully made

You search me and know me
You know when I sit, when I rise
So You must know the choices I’ve, made
And the pain that I hide

What if I saw me, the way that You see me?
What if I believed it was true?
What if I traded, this shame and self-hatred?
For a chance at believing You

‘Cause You knit me together
In my mother’s womb
And You say that I’ve never been
Hidden from You
And You say that I’m wonderfully
Wonderfully made

And Your eyes, they have seen me
Before I was born
And You know all the good things
That You made me for

And I’m wonderfully
Wonderfully made

When I consider; the Heavens above
Oh what is man, that You’re mindful of us
‘Til You say that we’re wonderfully
Wonderfully made

And You promise that You’ll never
Leave me, oh Lord
Oh that You hem me in, both behind and before
And I’m wonderfully
Wonderfully made

And You knit me together
In my mother’s womb
And You say that I’ve never been
Hidden from You
And You say that I’m wonderfully
Wonderfully made

And Your eyes, they have seen me
Before I was born
And You know all the good things
That You made me for
And I’m wonderfully
Wonderfully made
Wonderfully made

Help me believe it
Help me to see me
Just like You see me
Just like You made me
Wonderfully made

Spoken Word by Gloria Umanah 

You can learn more about Gloria Umanah here.

Again, a word of preparation—the words are like the words of a lament psalm—real and raw as a heart cries out honestly and desperately to God…

The Words to Spoken Word

What do you do

When you don’t know who you are?

And you put on a mask to hide every scar.

Choking, suffocating, unable to breathe

Because of all the lies you choose to believe.

 

And where do you go

When you’re locked in the prison of your very own soul?

And now you’re trapped in this darkness with the father of all lies

And he uses his words to keep you hypnotized.

 

Transfixed on your imperfections and flaws

Forgetting that the One who bore them all…

But this truth…this “truth” just doesn’t quite measure up.

 

Call it paralysis because my brain is confused

And I’m questioning, “Does God exist?”

As I lay unable to move.

 

Tormented by a legion of questions and no answers.

Does he…see me…or even recognize me?

 

With the pain behind my smile

And the shots of blood in my eyes

And the wounds I struggle to disguise,

Who am I…that you are mindful of me?

 

Sinner, broken, damaged, unworthy

Far from perfect yet You still thought I was worth it.

 

Beauty for ashes, the faultless exchange

Through the lens of grace, my perspective has changed.

 

Called out of darkness, into the marvelous light,

Now I see who You created me to be.

For You came to set the captive free

And that captive was me!

 

Turned into the Master’s piece,

Beautifully designed, limited edition like no other kind,

Beautiful in all ways, made in Your likeness, oh Ancient of Days,

It was all because of the cross and the price You paid.

 

I am fearfully and wonderfully made!