Saturday, April 25, 2015

Value (Elements of Existence) #AtoZChallenge

A sparrow in Mellieha, Malta. In Malta the resident sparrows are mostly hybrids between Spanish Sparrows (Passer hispaniolensis) and the House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). It is difficult to identify this bird with certainty, because of the mix of sparrows wintering on Malta. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14

New International Version (NIV)

If God is great and all of his creation is great then we are great since we are made by God. That's pretty sound reasoning I would say. We are fallen creatures so that takes away our perfection, but God's intent in creating us was a perfect one. Since we all are part of God's creation, we have value in God's eyes.

Now, if God sees value in us then we too should see value in others and we should be aware of our own value. When I hear someone say that they are worthless then I have to ask, "According to whom?" Self devaluation is just plain wrong as far as I'm concerned. We all have shortcomings, but that is not a diminution of our value. We always have room to grow and to better ourselves.

Don't look down on others as though they have no value to anyone. And since you are closest to you, don't look down on yourself. You will never achieve perfection in this life, but that's not any excuse to not try to become the best that you can be. Living up to God's standards is up to you. God cares and wants you to become a better person. God never gives up on any of us because we are valuable to him.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31