You are Sacred, by Design

Have you ever wondered about your own sacredness and intentional design by God? This episode of "Sacred by Design" promises to reshape your understanding of self-worth and sexuality. In this episode we aim to uplift and inspire, revealing how the persistent and loving pursuit of God can transform our perception of being precious and purposefully created.

We'll also explore the vital role of daily reminders in maintaining our spiritual well-being. Inspired by a quote from C.S. Lewis, we discuss how simple reminders—whether they're post-it notes or spiritual truths—can reinforce our intrinsic value and purpose.  This episode invites you to embrace these gentle nudges and find strength in the assurance that you are cherished and honored. 

Contact us today: If you have a question, comment, or need help, email us at info@regenerationministries.org

Free Resources for you!

👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)
👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Transcript

Sacred by Design

Speaker 1 0:22

It's season two of Sacred by Design that gets me excited full. I have so much more in my brain and in my heart because of all of you and how you've responded to our episodes, because of God and how he's met me in my life and during client sessions. And as we move into this second season, what we want to do is bring you back to the origin of even why we chose the title Sacred by Design. Because I can remember being in the lunchroom as all of us me and Rebecca and Kyle and Anne and Kit and Tracy and Rachel we're all sitting around talking about this podcast and the dream on our hearts for what it would mean to you, what we would want to bring to you. And so the words, the title alone had to mean something. It had to convey something, and so when the word sacred came up, it was like a collective sigh, a collective smile, all in agreement that sacred had to be part of it. So what do you think of sacred? What comes to mind when you hear that word? Special, inherited, set apart, holy Of God, that's what comes to mind. For me, it's a deep, a deeply meaningful word, and so sacred that applies to you. Of God, set apart, an inheritance. All these words are meant to convey a message to you about you.

Speaker 1 2:29

So often the women that I meet with who come to Regeneration Ministries for coaching have had other labels, other words attached to who they are, and they've accepted them. I've accepted them, you've accepted them right. Or that word is dirty, homewrecker, slut, freak, unwelcome. Those words, those words are deeply meaningful also, aren't they? But you, underneath all those labels, if you could take one apart and look at it and say okay, that's what I've been called, that's what I've heard in my life, that's who they say I am, but sacred, set apart, precious of God, you are sacred.

Speaker 1 3:36

The other word, design. I love the word design. I'm a word person, but I love the word design because it's beyond a plan, it's beyond a hope, it's beyond an idea. A design, you know, involves more thought, it involves more intention. There is planning involved in design. Whether you're designing a room, the set that I'm sitting in right now, a menu, there's a lot more that goes into the design. There's thought, there's care, there's awareness, there's a pulling together of strengths and weaknesses and timing, and all of that is key to design.

Speaker 1 4:20

Have you ever considered that? Your sexuality, your desires, your longings, the way your body wants, the way your mind yearns and thinks and dreams up, the way your heart thumps, that that is by design. Your sexuality is by design. It's sacred by design. Does that feel funky or does that feel true?

Speaker 1 4:58

This world wow, my own body, my own heart, my own mind has borne witness to how destructive and nasty and violent it can be when it comes to sexuality, when it comes to thoughts about me. How about you? Has it been destructive for you now? Whether you've experienced your husband or boyfriend's betrayal? Has he cheated on you, has he left you for whatever it is, or have you turned to to sex as a comfort, as a tool, as a power move, whether you've experienced something that has broken your view of sexuality and your body? You belong here.

Speaker 1 6:04

The word sacred applies to you. The word design might feel a little bristly, though right, and I get that. Though right and I get that. I've also borne witness to how God is just really persistent, ruthless even in coming after me with his word, with the beauty of nature, with the warmth of connection with really great people, to help me link arms with him and redefine. Redefine all that I thought was broken and bad and dirty to in fact be called sacred by design.

Speaker 1 7:03

I've also had the immense privilege of doing this work through Regen to bear witness to women who come with their own story a story probably a lot like yours and to lay it at the feet of Jesus and say I don't know what to do with this, or why did you do this, or where were you? Or I'm all alone, or nobody should want me or nobody will ever want me, and witness Jesus come after them in a picture, in a verse, in a song. It's too much, it's too beautiful, it's too good. It's too much, it's too beautiful, it's too good. I hope that you understand that what we do here at Regen is want to elevate your sexuality to something of a sacred quality, to understand that your sexuality, that your heart, is sacred by design. And that is not an easy task, that is not a straight shot. It's pretty loopy, it's pretty up and down, but, my gosh, the steadiness of the ruthlessness of God coming after you to make sure that you know that he holds your face in his hands and gets you one-on-one to say I made you, you are precious on to say I made you, you are precious, you are not disqualified. You are meant for right now that it hurt and I know, but I'm here with you and I've never left your side and I will never leave your side. So good, so sweet.

Reminded of Sacred Design

Speaker 1 8:50

So these episodes of Sacred by Design every time we get together it's to touch on a topic that you, as a woman who believes in Jesus but struggles with turning to pornography and finds herself isolated, turning towards bad relationships and wondering why are these always so bad, so bad, and just maybe considering it with the Holy Spirit and allowing him to burn through some of that stuff that has held you down, so that you can understand the fullness of what God has for you. The thing about sacred and design is that they are root words, they're fundamental. They're fundamental, okay. So often when people come to Regen, it's for this behavior, it's this habit that they want to quit, that they want to stop. That doesn't feel right, something's not, it's not settling right. So, beyond talking about the behavior, so much about what we do, so much, what you find here on these episodes, these conversations, I hope, is that this is a lot more, much more than than just breaking a behavior. This is about your becoming who. You're becoming who you're meant to be and fundamentally, it is sacred and it is by design, and I hope that what you'll hear is, instead of this expectation of a condemnation from God, it's a connection with God. You are sacred by design.

Speaker 1 10:35

There's a quote from CS Lewis that I love, and it's something like people don't need to be taught, they just need to be reminded. And I love that because, whether you're writing a post-it note to remind yourself to take your lunch right, or you put a reminder in your phone to write up the report or to send the email In order to be reminded, it's something that's already in you, it's something that you already have inside. The report is already there, the lunch is already packed. You just need the reminder to take it with you, to send it, to print it out, whatever it is. And I love that quote because maybe you just need to be reminded that you are sacred, that you are beloved, that you are precious, that you are intended, that you are by design here right now, that your life by design holds so much power, not even in spite of what you've experienced, but maybe because of what you've experienced. So let me remind you.

Speaker 1 11:56

I just want to read Isaiah 43 over you, because this is God's word and this is fundamentally true about you. This is what the Lord says, the one who created you, the one who formed you. Do not fear, I've redeemed you. I've called you by your name and you are mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, because you will pass through the waters and I will be with you. They will not overwhelm you, and I cannot see, so I need my glasses.

Speaker 1 12:27

You will not overwhelm you and I cannot see, so I need my glasses. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire oh, my gosh, how many times have you had to walk through the fire? But you will not be scorched and the flame will not burn you, for I am the Lord, your God, and you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you. Do not fear, for I'm with you. Do not fear, for I'm with you. You are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you. I pray that, if those words feel not applicable to you, that you've fallen out of the category that let me remind you that you are here for a reason, that you are hearing this for a reason, and this invitation is maybe just for you. I hope you'll join us. I hope you'll take notes, I hope you'll push back, I hope you'll pray with us and you will let the God of the universe hold your face in his hands to remind you that you are sacred by design.