Pastor’s Corner: “You are Worth More”
Matthew 10:29-31 – “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” Jesus asked His disciples. “Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”
For years, I thought that if I accomplished enough I’d be accepted and worthy. Each day I spent trying to please others by earning enough money, making a name for myself, trying to impress others, and providing for every need that crossed my path. I believed I should be the best husband, father, the best chef, hardest worker, and the one who had all the answers. I bought into the lie that success equals validation. These high standards revealed the reality of my shortcomings which I believed directly related to my value to God and others. I desperately worked to fix and hide my inadequacies to prove my value and worth creating an exhausting and never ending cycle. It was beginning to strangle me. Then the thought snuck in that my worth isn’t something to be found or earned, but it’s innate because of who God created me to be. This thought was not from me, but Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. It was confirmed to me through scripture as well.
Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Each of us is created in the image of God — remarkably and wonderfully made. We don’t need to prove ourselves or earn our worth. And scripture reminds us, God’s works are wonderful and you are the work of His hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) – 8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Diminishing our worth is an insult to God Himself. We already have worth in our Creator and Redeemer. That realization alone should give us peace as we live out who we are freely in Christ.
Matthew 10:29-31 – “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” Jesus asked His disciples. “Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” In other words …You are worth more than the money in your bank account. You are worth more than the number of friends you have on Facebook. You are worth more than the number of followers on your Twitter account. You are worth more than the number of meetings and appointments on your calendar. You are worth more than your successes or failures. You are worth more than your level of education. You are worth more than the price tags in your closet. You are worth more than your accomplishments or lack of them. You are worth more than many sparrows.
It took many years, but finally I took hold of Jesus’ words: YOU ARE WORTH MORE. That’s what Jesus wants you to know today. Who are you trying to prove your worth to? Today, embrace the truth that in Christ you are already worthy.
Oh, Lord, help me to really get this. I’ve spent so much of my life feeling like I’m not good enough. Help me see that because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His Spirit in me, I am enough. Help me see I have great worth as a child of God and image-bearer of my Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton