Ever felt worthless, like you life doesn't really amount to much? Boy, I have. There have been times when I really wondered why I was even on this earth. I think most people go through those emotions at some time in their life. In this tough economy with unemployment at ten percent and under employment is at twenty percent, I am sure there are a lot people pondering their self worth. Losing a job can sure mess you up, especially if you have been unable to find a new one.
Of course losing a job isn't the only reason for a deflated self image. The loss of virtually anything can have the same effect whether that's losing a house, a family member, a long time friend or group of friends, a chunk of your savings or investments, a long held position of service or something as simple as a sporting event. Self worth is a complicated thing. A poor self image can effect our mood, our productivity, our motivation, our health, our sleep patterns, our attitude, our outlook, our relationships, and our confidence.
To those of you who, like me, have had some recent rough patches that have damaged your self esteem let me remind you of a passage from Psalm 139 that has refreshed me. Verses 13-16 are a reminder that God is totally aware of your situation. He saw it before you knew what hit you. You're whole life was laid out to him before even one day of them ever happened. He was there before you got there or where you are right now. He knew before you were born what you were going to need today in terms of strength, comfort, guidance and resources. He also knows what's in store for you tomorrow.
Your value is not determined by your job or what material things you possess or what level of status you have or by who likes you or who doesn't. Your value has been determined by God. YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. I used to keep a poster in my office during my youth ministry days that simply said, "God don't make no junk!" Not very grammatically correct, but you understand the point. You have been cosmically and custom designed by God to be who you are. Everything God creates is good, because HE sees to it.
That's not to say that we're perfect or that we'll always choose to the right thing or even the good thing. Part of the goodness that God created in us is personal choice. Sorry, can't blame God for our bad choices and there are consequences for the choices we make or have made. But even in our bad choices, God is there to redeem, restore and renew because we are valuable to Him.
If God truly did "knit me together in my mother's womb," as Psalm 139 says, that means that He must have a special purpose for me in His Kingdom and on this planet. He didn't just throw me down here on this planet to take up space. Everything God creates He does so with plan and purpose in mind. Sometimes I'm not always clear what that specific purpose is for me, but I know what His general purpose is for me and that is to bring glory to Him. And as His child in Christ, I am to bring a blessing, His Good News, to the people around me.
I don't have to have a specific job or position or talent or looks or economic level to do that. I simply have to extend myself in behalf of God to others. The Apostle Paul said that he learned to be content in all situations. When you look at Paul's life you realize that if someone had a right to feel down on himself or defeated or all alone or abandoned or rejected or friendless, he certainly did.
But Paul discovered that his value was in God alone, Christ alone. That and God's grace was simply enough for him. Stripped of everything earthly, sitting in a prison cell, he found reason to praise and celebrate and enjoy his life in Christ and to be a blessing to others.
When I center my focus on things of earthly descent or standard, my personal value can get tattered, torn and pretty roughed up. Depression creeps in and steals my joy. But if I can focus on the fact that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, created uniquely by God for His special purpose and pleasure, it changes me. No matter your circumstance, you are still of eternal value and have incredible things to offer to those around you. Just go bless somebody and do it today.
God, it's real easy to start feeling sorry for myself when things don't go my way. I don't why I put so much value on my job or position or economic status. I guess in my desire to be loved and recognized by others, I lose sight of what really gives me value and significance. I get more worried about me than about being the vessel you created me to be as your representative. Thanks for creating me, me. I know that I'm far from perfect, but I'll have to wait for you to do that in me at the resurrection. Give me the courage and confidence to just bless someone else today. I'm trusting in your plan and that you'll take care of my needs and that of my family. I recognize my inadequacies and fallacies, but I put my life in your hands.
No comments:
Post a Comment