“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14

Abraham Maslow, was a humanistic psychologist, who described self-actualization as the process of becoming “everything that you’re capable of being.” Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was quite interesting to me as a young college student in Psychology 101. Maslow theorized that people need to satisfy four basic types of needs before they can satisfy a fifth need for self-actualization, they are our basic needs for food, air, shelter, and water; then came safety, belonging and the need for respect…and ultimately at the top of the pyramid sits self-actualization…You’ve finally arrived so you think!

Wherein our basic needs can never be compromised, God has already created us and provided for all that we need to survive not only in this life but in eternity, and my friends Maslow’s hierarchy of needs cannot touch that. “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1.

Unfortunately, the mental state of many have succumbed to depression, suicide, and feelings of totally unworthiness to achieve and be uniquely by human standards, our best selves. So many people are looking for the next self-help craze, ultimate weight loss plan, perfect mate, illustrious job and of course anything else that is supposed to lead us to fulfillment in life. But, to the born-again believer the answer is already in our grasp… “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14.

The Psalmist praises God for His marvelous creation of man and all His mighty works. God decided as He flung the moon and stars in the sky that man would be made in His image. We do not have to look far to see the omnipotence and greatness of our God! “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31.

Self-actualization starts with embracing the truth that you are fearfully, and wonderfully made, by our Great and Almighty God, loved, complete, and kept by Him now and forever. “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8.

My friends… God don’t make no junk! Embrace that you are uniquely designed by the Master craftsman…there is no one who can be you-you are special, perfect and the apple of God’s eye!

Blessings and peace to all.