When we survey our culture and surroundings it doesn't take long to realize why so many of us struggle with our identity and value in this world. Television, popularity symbols, movies, and even just going to the supermarket or shopping mall screams at us to improve ourselves, to buy more, to be more.
We have mistakenly, and perhaps even unconsciously, placed more worth on the thing than on the person. Allow me to let you in on a secret…you are equally valuable to society and your Father in Heaven regardless of whether you sit behind the wheel of a Lamborghini or a 1980 Rabbit.
Maybe having a bunch of stuff isn’t your deal though. Usually I feel like I’m okay in that area…well at least until I get around someone who has cooler possessions than me and then I start to feel a little depressed and down on myself. But let’s say for argument’s sake you have that part beat. Perhaps you begin to feel unworthy when you look at your list of accomplishments, associations, and what you perceive as your talents.
The lies begin to creep in… “I’ll never be famous like them, I’ll never move up in the company, I’m a nobody, I have nothing to offer, They will always be better than me…”
Only one thing in this life gives us worth- Who you belong to. God has claimed you as His own and loves you unconditionally (even when you wish you could trade in your Rabbit for the BMW). You have worth because you have infinite value to Him.
Now you may say, why would God love me? I don’t do anything, I’m not good at anything, I don’t have anything He could possibly be interested in.
Have you ever seen a new mom and dad before with their tiny new baby? Infants are precious to their parents, not because they can DO anything at all. They eat, sleep, cry and poop (all really great party tricks). Actually (speaking from a lot of nanny experience) babies can be quite demanding and self-centered. They have no power, accomplishments or popularity. Although they are tiny and adorable, it is not the appearance that captivates the parent. It is because that tiny little person EXISTS. The parent loves an infant child because he or she BELONGS to THEM; and they love them with a fierce, overwhelming and unconditional love. The child is precious and regarded with the highest value simply because he or she IS.
This is an imperfect picture of our relationship with a perfect God, but the message is the same. God loves you with a consuming passion just because you are and you belong to Him. Not because of your resume, what you have, or anything you DO. Nor does this love change because of anything you may have DONE.
He loves you because you exist.
He loves you because you are His.
It is with a love so great He would pay any price for you. It is with a love that consumes His heart and never changes. He loves you the same whether you win the Nobel Prize or if you’re waiting tables to pay for college. And as your Father, His heart desires to hold you close, to protect you, direct, teach, nurture, and bless you. It gives Him JOY to be a perfect Father to you.
You have incredible worth. Not because of WHO you are, but because of WHOSE you are.
Romans 8:14-16- For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.
Galatians 4:7- Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Written by Coleen York
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