BELIEFS THAT MATTER:

God Doesn’t Make Mistakes: Uniqueness in God’s Creation

In my journey of faith, one of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that God doesn’t make mistakes. This belief is foundational to how I see the world, and it especially shapes how I view the existence of intersex individuals. Intersex people are born with variations in sex characteristics—whether chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical—that don’t fit the typical definitions of male or female. While society often struggles to understand these differences, I believe that intersex individuals are an intentional part of God’s creation.

Intersex as an Intentional Part of God's Creation

When I first learned about the existence of intersex individuals, it challenged me to rethink many assumptions about gender and biological sex. With approximately 1.7% of the global population born with intersex traits, it’s clear that the binary understanding of male and female doesn’t capture the full complexity of God’s creation. Whether intersex traits are evident at birth or later in life, I’ve come to believe that these individuals are part of God's intentional design, not a mistake or anomaly.

For many, the existence of intersex people raises difficult questions, particularly for parents. How would I react if my child were born with intersex traits? What decisions would I make regarding their medical care and upbringing? These questions have deepened my empathy for parents of intersex children who are faced with incredibly complex decisions.

The Challenges Parents of Intersex Children Face

Parents of intersex children often grapple with whether to pursue early medical interventions—such as surgeries or hormone treatments—or to wait until the child is old enough to participate in these decisions. Each option comes with emotional, social, and medical implications. Early surgeries might help align a child's physical appearance with societal expectations, potentially reducing bullying and social isolation. However, such procedures carry risks, including the possibility of assigning a gender that doesn’t align with the child’s identity as they grow, leading to physical and emotional challenges.

On the other hand, waiting to make decisions about surgery can protect the child's autonomy, allowing them to grow into their gender identity naturally. Yet, this choice might expose the child to teasing or social stigma during formative years. Parents must carefully navigate these decisions, weighing the benefits of early intervention against the importance of bodily autonomy and the risk of future regret.

As a parent, I can only imagine the emotional weight of these decisions. The fear of making the wrong choice can be overwhelming. Parents want to protect their children from a world that might not understand them, yet they also want to give their children the freedom to define their own identities. In these moments of uncertainty, I believe that God’s grace is essential.

God's Grace in Decision-Making

In the face of such difficult choices, I believe that God’s grace is ever-present. God, in His all-knowing and all-loving nature, understands the struggles these parents and individuals face. I don’t believe that there’s always a clear right or wrong answer in these situations. Instead, I trust that if parents make decisions out of love and a desire to do what’s best for their child, God’s grace will guide them.

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from walking in the shoes of parents with intersex children is that love and grace must be at the heart of all decision-making. Even when the path is uncertain, I believe that God’s love covers every step. Just as God extends grace to parents navigating these complex choices, I believe it’s our responsibility to show grace and understanding toward others, especially when we don’t fully grasp their experiences.

Biological Factors and Identity

I have come to believe that the biological factors influencing intersex individuals may also play a role in shaping the gender identity and sexual orientation of transgender, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. Research suggests that prenatal hormone exposure, genetics, and brain development all contribute to not just physical sex characteristics but also how individuals experience their gender and sexual orientation.

For example, variations in hormone levels during fetal development are known to affect both the body and the brain. In intersex individuals, these variations might result in physical traits that don’t fit typical gender definitions. Similarly, these same hormonal processes may influence gender identity and sexual orientation, even if the variations aren’t physically visible.

This growing body of research reveals the biological complexity of human experience and suggests that being intersex, transgender, or queer isn’t a mistake—it’s a reflection of the diversity in God’s creation. I see these complexities as further evidence that God’s design is far more intricate than we often realize, and it encourages me to approach each person with grace and understanding.

Extending Grace to All

Ultimately, if God is willing to extend grace to intersex individuals and their families as they navigate these deeply personal decisions, I believe that grace must also be extended to everyone—including those who are transgender, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. God’s love is unconditional, and we are not called to judge or second-guess the experiences of others. Instead, we are called to respect each person’s journey, knowing that they are walking with God in their own way.

God has called me to love others as He loves me, and that love is rooted in grace. The same grace that God has shown me on my own journey is the grace I must extend to others. In doing so, I honor the uniqueness of God’s creation and reflect His love in a world that often struggles to understand.

OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SERIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING POSTS: