I’ve been asking myself this question a lot this year. And ultimately it’s the question each of us has to ask ourselves about anything, right? It is the underlying question to every other question.
Am I going to go out of my way to take out the bathroom trash?
Am I going to love that person who is really difficult to love?
Am I going to give sacrificially of my time and finances?
Am I going to invest in and engage with the people around me even if I’m only with them for two more months?
As you might imagine, that last one is the question I’m currently battling with.
But the underlying question – the REAL question at play – is whether it’s worth it.
Is it worth it to take out the trash again?
Is it worth it to love that person?
Is it worth it to give sacrificially?
Is it worth it to invest in and engage with the people around me?
Well?
Is it?
The answer depends on what (or Who) you’re living for.
If I’m living for me, the answer is likely no to most of the above questions. I mean, why would any of these things matter? Why wouldn’t I do what our individualistic culture in the West constantly tells me to do, which is to do what makes me happy? (Taking out the trash doesn’t get me super pumped naturally. It’s not something I’m itching to do, folks.)
But if I’m living for the applause of nail-scarred hands…if I’m operating from a place of an overflow of grace…if I’m sitting in this place of awe at the overwhelming love I’ve been shown by a Father who sacrificed His Son for me…well, then it’s worth it. It’s all worth it.
We know based on Scripture that we’re called to love God (this is the first commandment) and second only to this, to love our neighbors as ourselves. And beyond this, whatever we do for the least of these, we’ve done for Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40).
So radical.
So beautiful.
Our understanding of this can transform our lives, our families, our churches, our cities, and even our world.
And the craziest part for us? This shift in priorities actually brings us true contentment…true happiness. That thing we were chasing when we first asked the question, “Is it worth it,” which seems so elusive, flows naturally to us and from us when we are loving God, others, then ourselves.
I’ve found that when I’m struggling with seeing the worth in something (or someone), the only way forward is to spend some focused time in the Word, basking in His grace, meditating on His love for me. Then I get to love others from that place.
Thanks for reading what God has been teaching me over the last few weeks (and months…and years) and just remember: it’s all worth it.
E
