“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag drifting through the wind wanting to start again?”
Yes, Katy. Yes, I do.
These words from Katy Perry really strike the heart, don’t they? Sometimes, we really do feel like a piece of trash. Sounds harsh, but I know everybody’s been there.
Have you ever questioned your value? Have you ever doubted your worth? Are you currently struggling to feel like you’re more than just another lonely human being walking around without making a difference in anything?
Maybe you have trouble looking in the mirror in the morning and thinking a single uplifting thought about yourself. Maybe you have people in your life that tell you to your face that you aren’t worth anything. That you are a piece of trash. And maybe you’re starting to believe it.
When no one is there to tell you that you hold value, it can be easy to slip into self-doubting, self-hate, self-denial. Our thoughts can become our prison. “I’m worthless. No one loves me. What do I even have to offer? You never do anything right. You are as worthless as a piece of trash.”
But you’re wrong.
You are extremely valuable. Your being holds immense worth. You are important. And here’s why:
You were bought at a high price.
Have you ever seen Antiques Road Show? If you haven’t, here is the premise: People bring in old antiques they’ve found lying around, objects passed down in the family, things they think might be valuable. Appraisers will study these objects and tell the owner how much their object is worth. The value might be millions, it might be a couple bucks. Most of the time, you can never really correctly guess by looking, but that’s the fun in watching the show.
The higher the price an object is bought at, the more valuable it is. Common sense. A pack of socks isn’t very valuable; that’s why it only costs a few bucks. A painting by Monet, on the other hand is very valuable, that’s why it probably costs in the millions. A Monet painting has great inherent value. A pack of socks doesn’t.
So how do we find our value? How much would we be bought for? The price indicates the value.
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7 NLT
We were purchased with the blood of Jesus. God’s son. We are worth the death of God’s son. GOD’S SON, PEOPLE. Let that sink in. You are worth A LOT. The death of God’s son is a high price. You are worth more than anything else in this world. Jesus didn’t die for the select few. He died for everyone, so you are included in that.
Don’t ever doubt your worth. When you question your value, you are questioning and undermining the value of Jesus’ death. Did Jesus die for a piece of trash, a good-for-nothing? No. He died for his valuable sons and daughters. God sent his son to die because he believed we were worth it. And you are. So worth it.
So let’s look at our brothers and sisters the way God looks at them. Look at that annoying coworker and see how valuable he/she is. Look at your bothersome siblings and see how valuable they are.
“To love is to recognize and esteem the value of something. God is the only one that has self caused, infinite, and perfect value, therefore we are to recognize and esteem His value with all that we have and all that we are. It also means the value of ALL people is derivative and equal, because we are all created by Him in His image. So when I am commanded by the one with ultimate value to love my neighbor, my fellow human, I am called to recognize and esteem their value as being equal to my own, no matter where they are from or what they believe. I don’t have to agree with them or what they do, but I am required to value them.”
I don’t remember where I got this quote from, but it’s a good one. Remember to love yourself and to love others. You guys are valuable treasures, don’t ever forget it!
Today was our last day of ministry here in Lesotho. I can truly say I am going to miss this place and these people very dearly. It has been quite a month. Thank you, Lord for how you love, value, and bless us!
