$How much do U cost?$

OK, that should probably have read something more like – ‘How do you define your worth?”, but how much you cost with a dollar sign, just seems like would get more attention, haha marketing ploy 😉

Either way, a friend earlier today give a good word on ‘what determines your value?” something I think we all need to be constantly reminded and encouraged in. Let me share…

What is something, if anything you can mention or write down that you would qualify as you being successful in this lifetime? Is it getting married, maybe with children? Having that well paying job, financial security maybe, becoming a leader/mentor/pastor at a church, a go to person of sorts? Is it being able to properly support your family, finish that 1st, 2nd or even 3rd college degree, accomplish that milestone you have set before you?

On the flip side, if you don’t have that child you so desperately would love to have right now, that six figure salary position that just seems out of reach, not being given that opportunity to speak at the next fellowship to share your wealth of bible knowledge and experiences, does that decrease your perception of how you are valued? Does it change your worth?

These are identity issues we need to address, and so begin to learn about what God says about our value – and he says a lot. And just as Adam and Eve in Gen 2:25 were able to stand naked and feel no shame, because of Jesus in us we can also do the same, standing with an identity that defines us as children of God himself.

He places on us VALUE that overrides and devalues anything we can place on ourselves. And because he does it for his own name’s sake, there is nothing we can do that changes that VALUE.

Learning about our identity in Christ and all it affords us, helps us understand that VALUE, what we are really worth. In this we are fully empowered to live that life of obedience he has called us to, with little or no distractions to those things the world is only too eager to use to suggest how much we cost. We are better able to live out Matt 6:33-34 …and begin/continue to have ridiculous impact on this world, fighting injustice and bringing an everlasting hope to a world that is so in need of it.

The Lord declares in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you – plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Do you believe it?