You Have Value

Written by Pastor Eric Everhart

Our time in Cary, Mississippi has been amazing so far! Our students and leaders have bonded so much as we have traveled, served, played, cried, worshiped, and laughed together. It is beautiful to see the students come together as one, serving God through their work here in this community. And, although they may never see the full fruit that comes from their labors, the footsteps of Jesus will be left in this small community of God’ people. 

One of the things that we have tried to reinforce this week is that each one of them has “value”! The world spends a great deal of time placing its own spin on how we should look, talk, live, what we should believe, what beauty is, and who is in and who is out. Social media, television, magazines, sports figures, and celebrities…the pull of worldly influence is a constant battle for each of us…and especially for our young people today.

We were reminded Sunday by the pastor of Zion Baptist church that our value is not found in the world but rather in God. He cares for each of us so much, he loves us so much, and he has a purpose for each of our lives. In Luke 112:24, Jesus says, “Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than the birds!” The ravens are scavengers, the low and nasty birds of their species, yet God provides for them. 

When we realize and grab hold of the fact that we are created in God’s image, that we are the apple of his eye, beautiful in every way, the pinnacle of his creation…then, and only then, can we begin to understand our worth, our true value in Jesus Christ. The world will tell us that we have to be the star of the sports team, or look like a supermodel to have value, but God says, you, my child, are “fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalm 139:14. The world would try to make us believe that we don’t have worth but God says, “For God so love the world [loves you] that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him would have eternal life” John 3:16. The world (the evil one) would whisper in our ear, “you have no purpose” but God would tell us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10. The world would have us believe that there is no God, that there is no hope but we are reminded in God’s amazing word that, “for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:7.

If we listen to the world and not the voice of our loving and providing God, we can begin to believe the lies of the Devil which comes through the world. God’s truth, his voice to each of us, communicates our worth, praises our beauty as he has created us, and gives feet to the purpose he has in store for each of us. But, most importantly, his word demonstrates his unconditional and crazy love for each of us, that he would give up his Son so that we can see the redeemed, the beautiful, the righteous, and perfect people we truly are through Jesus Christ. Our “value” is not found in the world but rather in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ! 

A bank account has no value until it has money in it. God wrote that check, Jesus cashed that check on the cross, and it has been deposited into each of our accounts because of his resurrection! Our empty accounts (with no value) now have a value that cannot be counted  because of what Jesus has deposited into it.  

Brothers and sisters, STOP looking to the world for approval, for worth, and for value. Instead look at yourself through the love and sacrifice God has poured out into you! Say with me right now: I AM WORTHY, I AM LOVED, I HAVE A PURPOSE, I AM BEAUTIFUL, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Believe this truth, say it with assurance, and know that this is where your VALUE lies! 

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” Ephesians 2:4-5

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