Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
You are not a Mistake
“You are NOT a mistake. God made you a winner!” More than a decade ago, how glad I was to hear that messenger. On a Friday evening, lives were changed among that audience. As simple as that, one person, with those words, affected the attendees. The messenger intentionally detailed the science and spiritual aspects of a winner. The thunderous clapping affirmed the message and the messenger. “Before I was placed in time, God saw me and declared me a winner!”
Sterotyping – Perception of a Winner
First, what is the problem? There is an underlying perception of who and what makes a winner according to human standards. The negative result is sterotyping. Sterotyping is the labeling of untrue and unfair beliefs about a particular group. Early in life, these inflated ideas impact the mental health of young people. In this climate of social media, statistics show that teen suicide has also increased. Research supports that a negative statement about one’s appearance or family increases the possibility of suicide rates among young people. Additionally, isolation, economic barriers, cyberbullying, and constant picture-perfect people in TV ads, fuel low self-esteem. Furthermore, the problem persists through messaging from politicians and ministries that stereotype people.
Dogma – Mindset of Who Are Winners
Religious Dogma: In speaking with young adults, they cite sterotyping as a reason for their departure from home churches. This stereotype stopped them from joining other mainstream churches. Unfortunately, religious dogma is real. Religious dogma is defined as a set of beliefs to accept without questions or doubts. They lack the self-esteem to view themselves as winners in life due to religious dogma. For instance, the teaching that a human born out of wedlock, meant that person is a MISTAKE.
Society Dogma: Economics status also impacts how some people view others. For instance, because they get free or reduced lunch, the view is these children are less intelligent. In the community, material wealth meant self-worth.
These direct and indirect messages permeate every day through various forms of media. Different method, same message received. Moreover, there is the negativity that your family does not look like my family, so you do not belong.
Winning -Dispelling Inferiority
It will take lots of work and love to dispel messages of inferiority. Throughout history, there is the teaching of God’s love for His creation. You are NOT a mistake, neither biologically nor scripturally. Yet, we do not as a society do very well in this area. God’s standards are not people standards. However, when you are young, it is difficult to understand. Unfortunately, too many of us carry negatives spoken to us into our adulthood. Even suggestive or research has an impact (Gender Gaps). You are not inferior to other groups.
The heading from an article in ScienceNewsforStudents read Scientists Say: Egg and sperm
These are reproductive cells that combine to form a new individual.
So, let’s take a look at why you are biologically a winner.
Biologically a Winner
Research shows that the average egg lives only 24 hours. Quickly, fertilization of the egg takes place, after its release from the ovary. The sperm has only 9-12 hours to prepare the ova (egg) for its journey. In the entire process, the egg only has up to 24 hours to survive and the sperm only has up to 24 hours to complete its goal.
The biological process declares you are a winner. prior to human conception. Even though a large sperm consists of an average of 250 million sperms which start the race, the sperm chooses one egg to fertilize. The winner is the egg that reaches the sperm first. by the one sperm that reaches the egg.
This race is not an easy one for with 250 million competitors. Those who guard the female egg, view sperms as foreign agents. Therefore, there is resistance. Along the pathway, the guards place obstacles in the sperms’ way. The names of the opposers are called pH acid, reproductive organs, and cavities known as crypts. In the first leg of the journey, millions do not make it. Millions now become thousands, for they were unable to resist the forces of their opposers.
Second Leg of the Race
Not all is loss, however. For the thousands encounter a friend in the second leg of the race, known as the ovum. Ovum tries to pave the way for sperms by releasing molecules and sending signals to other parts of the females’ physical body (i.e., cervical mucus). This is to allow these swimmers through. Thus, with less resistance, the intruding sperms continue the race.
Wait! It is not over. From exhaustion, the thousands are now hundreds. The hundreds continue the path. Finally, there are only a few sperms are in the race. Look! They encounter a thick entrance door. Under the watchful eye of the ovule (the flag waver), only one sperm will cross the finish line. Which of the remaining few will get to the ovule first?
Race of Endurance
The chosen spermatozoon, the strongest, contacts with the zona pellucida (the thick membrane surrounding the ovum), thereby initiating the so-called acrosome reaction (the action of fertilization). The ultimate goal of all this sperm travel is to meet the egg, merge with it, and allow a new cell’s birth.
Yes, biologically, the fact that I (we) survived this 24 hours ordeal which declares me (us) to be a winner.
Scripturally, The Word goes even further and declares you and me are wonderfully put together. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well,” Psalm 139:14 NIV. Hallelujah!
In fact, The Word said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations,” Jeremiah 1:5.
As servant leaders, it is our job to teach and dispel the idea that a child is a MISTAKE because of how you were born, who your parents are, one’s economic disposition, ethnicity, religious background, locale and any other reason that is counter-productive to what God says about us. Are you onboard?
More Suggestions on “Your Watch.” On this journey, encourage yourself.