#8 God Made You Priceless
I remember loving the show, "The Price is Right'' as a child. For anyone who doesn't know, it's a game show where contestants can win prizes based on how good they are at guessing the prices of items. They are games thrown in the mix, but at its core, it's a game of how well you know prices. It was always fun to watch people throw their ideas out to see which person came closest to the actual price. The reward for guessing correctly or closest without going over is the item itself. At the end, 2 contestants participate in a showcase where a myriad of treasures are present. Cruises, cars, and vacation packages are only just a handful of offerings in the showcase. The contestants bid on their own respective showcase, and whoever is closer to the actual combined price of their showcase wins.
While this is only a game show, I wonder how many of us play this game? How many of us show ourselves to other people in showcases, presenting different parts of our life and experiences in the hopes that somebody will give us a price that is higher above what we perceive about ourselves? How often does it become a bidding war among people to see who thinks we are worth the most? Worth, the value of something, what are we worth?! Looking to other people for answers sends through the revolving door of confusion, as each person seems to ascribe us a different value. Some will think you're worthwhile others think you're worthless. Some will call you precious while you have something to offer and drop when the well dries up. How often has this happened to you? Can you say with confidence what you are worth? Do you know the value that has been given to you? If not, that's okay. Many people spend years trying to find that thing that makes them "special" or makes them worth 'being around." If I had this particular talent, hobby, skill, look, etc.... I would be worth something.
I'm going to have to break this to you, your worth is never found in what your gifts are. Nor can it be found in how valuable others perceive you to be. You know why? Let's talk about gifts for a moment. What is the value difference of someone who can draw vs someone who can sing? None! How can you weigh one talent vs the next? You can't. Each is special in its own right and has a place where it can shine. Playing the piano can be considered a talent, but being wiser, in comparison with others that are near your age, could also be considered a talent, They are gifts to be used to glorify Him and share the good news of redemption with the world. Now, we as a people and culture, prioritize those with certain gifts over others. However, this was never the way it was meant to be. They become the pedestal which we attempt to reach, only to end up idolizing that which we aren't. Oh, and God isn't too keen on idols, so why make them idols from birth? He doesn't idolize them, we do. Everyone has gifts and talents that lead to the development of the kingdom, therefore we can all participate together in glorifying God. It's not a competition, it's building a collective relationship between God and the body of Christ.
Now, on to the subject of people. How could someone who had no involvement in your development tell you what you're worth? Short answer: They can’t! There are talents, futures, friends, gifts, struggles, physical appearance, functions, (the list goes on and on) that were/are designed for YOU specifically! It's what defines you and gives you distinction from everybody else! Not one living soul played a part in that! The only role that birth played is it was the catalyst by which you came into existence, but parents don't get to choose specifics. God hand picked each different part of you, because He knew exactly how to make you special. He spent time and effort to shape and mold you, before you were even considered a thought by anybody else. Matter of fact, our existence is so special to Him that he wants us to share what we're feeling and how we're doing with Him. (Prayer)
At the end of the creation story, God looks at everything He made and says it was very good. That "good" is different from the rest. See, that good is not static. It's not just a one-day affair where it was good only on that one day. No, see, he finished creating everything he wanted and its very existence was good. All of it is continuously good. Because God made you, you are very good! He gave his Son to die because you are very good! He breathed his Spirit into you because you are very good! He loves you because you are very good! You were made in the image and likeness of God, therefore you are very good. Nobody can assign you your worth because it was already assigned before the foundations of the earth were formed. You were set apart before birth, because you are very good! Your worth......is very good.
Once per day this week, look yourself in the eyes in the mirror and say aloud, "My worth comes from no man because I was made very good by God."
Scripture Readings for this week.
Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Genesis 1:31 - "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day"
Jeremiah 29:12 - "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
Genesis 1 (The creation story)
May you all be blessed in all you do this week.
