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

English Standard Version (ESV)

Sunday, June 10, 2012

On Being the Unique Individual That God Made Us

Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis) - World's Rarest Hummingbird? (Photo credit: David Cook Wildlife Photography (kookr))

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

In and of itself, there's nothing wrong with being different. Each of us are unique in our own way. We are born as individuals distinct from anyone else. Our upbringing, environment, and education shapes us to believe what we believe and know what we know.

As children most of us were protected and provided for and if we have survived into adulthood both of those happened to some degree. Some of our lives have been more difficult while others have had immunity to many hardships and struggle. No matter which the case may be, each of us is accountable for what we do with what we learn and the choices we make in our lives.

We have meaning and purpose--every one of us. We must decide not to forfeit what we have been given and the blessings that are ours.

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.