“Value.” Google defines this word as “the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.”
We all try to make our lives valuable with something. So many people seek to find value in money, popularity, or sports.
In my life personally, I’ve tried to find my worth in accomplishments. Even after I became a Christian, I tried to prove myself to God with all I could “do.” I wanted to be the best Christian this world had ever seen, so that I could please God and make other people like me. This continued all through middle school and high school.
Then in 2019 I became sick. Slowly, I began to lose my physical energy. The doctors couldn’t explain it, but the sickness was affecting every part of my life. It seemed as though everything I clung to in order to prove myself was quickly slipping between my fingers. I didn’t get to serve at Youth Haven in the way I wanted to or do as much stuff at home to help my family.
Those weeks were hard, I can’t deny it. God’s Word though became a lifeline to me. Gradually, I began to grasp what I think is one of the biggest things God was trying to teach me during that time in my life: my value is found in Him. This verse has become one of my favorites:
"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." - Psalm 73:26
This is the truth I can cling to: everyday He is the strength I need. He is mine. I don’t need anything else.
My value isn’t found in what I do; on the cross Jesus did it all. He took on Himself all my sin and paid for its penalty in full, making a way so that I can be His child today and forever. When God looks at me now, He is already pleased. That’s because Jesus has made me right with God! (Check out 2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of what He has done, I can be God’s friend forever. My worth- my value- is found in Jesus.
Learning to believe this truth has changed my life, giving me so much more peace and joy. No longer does my value fluctuate based on my performance; it is firm in Jesus, who never changes. My body is slowly healing, but I am okay if it takes a while, because I don’t need to be able to do a lot of things anymore. Being a child of God is enough for me. My value is found in Him.
Take It Deeper
The daily struggle to find my worth in things other than Jesus isn’t over. One of the accounts in the Bible that has been especially encouraging happens when Jesus visits Mary and Martha’s home in Luke 10:38-42. Check it out for yourself (here: https://www.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.10.NLT if you don’t have a Trailbook nearby), and note the heart that Mary has towards the Lord.
Ask yourself:
Where did Martha find her value?
Where did Mary find her value?
Where do I find my value?
What do I learn about Jesus from this passage?
Comments