During 2025, Peachtree Church is focusing on the Book of Psalms with a series called Dwell, through which we seek to deepen our conversation with God and open ourselves to hearing his response. The practice of praying three times each day will unite the voices of our hearts and souls as we seek the day when we will see the full realization of the Kingdom of God, promised in Revelation 21:3: “…Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
We will email devotionals twice weekly with Monday’s providing an overview of the Psalm as a whole, and Wednesday’s focused on that week’s Daily Dwell.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-14
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
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.
Devotional
At Wonderfully Made, a ministry focused on building a community for adults with intellectual disabilities, we frequently remind each other: “You are God’s masterpiece—a work of art.” This statement isn’t just a motto or a flattering remark—it’s a profound theological truth inspired by the psalmist’s reverent proclamation in Psalm 139.
“In my mother’s womb, you intricately formed me… I am made in a remarkable and awe-inspiring way.” This truth isn’t just for the gifted, the accomplished, or the powerful. It holds true and magnificently for everyone, including those whose skills or looks may distinguish them in the world’s view.
In a society that values efficiency, rapid pace, and self-reliance, it’s common to ignore individuals who don’t align with conventional notions of success. Adults with intellectual disabilities frequently fall into this overlooked category, particularly once they no longer qualify for school-supported services. Many end up isolated, spending their days at home with minimal structure, scarce social connections, and even fewer opportunities to feel included.
Psalm 139 teaches us that God views each person as a deliberate creation, crafted with purpose and awe. Embracing this belief transforms our lives and alters our perception of others.
Wonderfully Made was created to address the loneliness prevalent in our city, particularly among individuals with Down syndrome, autism, and other intellectual disabilities. The figures are alarming: a recent report from the Surgeon General indicates that loneliness can affect health as severely as smoking 15 cigarettes daily, it raises the risk of dementia, stroke, heart disease, and early mortality. For adults with intellectual disabilities, who already encounter social challenges, the threat is even more significant.
But the Gospel tells us something different: We belong to each other. When we see every person as an image-bearer of God—someone fearfully and wonderfully made—it compels us to step toward one another. It compels us to create community, not out of charity, but out of reverence for God’s handiwork.
In the Wonderfully Made community, we witness the reflection of God’s image daily. It’s evident in the delight of laughing together over freshly baked cookies. It’s present when Wonder Makers encourage one another and genuinely celebrate each other’s successes. It’s also apparent when a volunteer sits side by side with someone they might not have encountered otherwise and discovers the unexpected beauty of a much-needed friendship.
This isn’t just ministry to adults with intellectual disabilities. It’s ministry with and because of them. The community we are building teaches all of us—staff, volunteers, parents, church members—what it means to be fully human, fully known, and fully loved.
Psalm 139 is not simply a comfort to the lonely or a reassurance to the unsure. It’s a commissioning. It calls us to notice, to honor, and to love the sacred design in every person we encounter. When we see others as “wonderfully made,” we start to build a world that reflects that belief—a world where everyone is invited to belong.
At Wonderfully Made, we believe that baking cookies together goes beyond just making a sweet treat. It’s all about building connections—making eye contact, collaborating on tasks, sharing inside jokes, and exchanging hugs at day’s end. It’s about changing lives not with grand acts, but with consistent presence.
And it’s about seeing the Imago Dei—the image of God—in every person who walks through our doors.
For Reflection
- When you encounter the phrase “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” do you feel it pertains to you personally?
- Is there someone in your life who could benefit from you reinforcing this belief for them today?
- In what ways might you feel God is urging you to connect with someone who has been neglected?
Prayer
Dear Lord, you are familiar with every aspect of my being and have declared me wonderfully made. Guide me to view myself and others as you do—with respect, empathy, and delight. Show me how to foster meaningful connections. May I recognize and respect the divine image in everyone I encounter. Amen.
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Devotionals