What Are You Worth?

What a question! It's easy to give general responses like, "I'm priceless", "I'm worth the world" or "I'm worth my weight in gold". But what does truly knowing your worth look like on a daily level, moment-by-moment. To unpack this answer let's first answer a few prerequisites questions.

Where Does Your Worth Come From?

Are you priceless because you are beautiful, live a fit lifestyle, earn a 6-7 figure income or are a leading professional in your field? Oh, do you have two or three degrees? Is that why you are worth so much? If you had none of this would you still be priceless? I will tell you right now that these things are not what make you worthwhile and precious, not even how you good of a parent, friend or sibling you are factor into you worth. Simply put, it is God's love and dedication to us that makes us worth all that we are. So much so that He sent His only son (John 3:16) to give us the freedom we so desperately needed. Ephesians 1:4 says, 'For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.' Our gem status comes from the value God placed on us and our lives before He even formed us. The fact that He did indeed form every fiber of us is the point. And Luke 12:7 affirms our worth saying, '.... don't be afraid, you are worth far more than many sparrows.'

Let's bring it down out of the heavenlies for one second and make it tangible to your flesh. You know how in the movies a man or woman jumps in front of a speeding bullet at the very last second to save the love of their life, their child, friend or even a complete stranger and you feel the twinge in your heart of "how selfless", "how generous", "man thats bold" and for a second you want to be that kind of hero. For a second you can relate that you too would (hypothetically) take a bullet for your kids, your spouse, your mother or sister or whoever. And the fact that you would sacrifice your life for them makes them worth it. On the flip side the character saved in the scenario realizes just how loved, valued and wanted they truly are. BOOM! That's you... and me! Because we are wanted and loved by God, to the point of killing His own flesh, makes us worth more than our weight in gold. The peace and honor of such a revelation brings you closer to answering the question, "Are you worth it?"

Can You Get Better?

Um, yeah but if I am already wonderful from inception, why should I try to change anything about myself? Answer: to get better. Deeper answer: there is grace and admiration is striving. God's love is a transformative love and we should embrace it. This of course is easier said than done. I mean how does growth typically occur? The wafter of a fairy godmother's wand, with folded arms and a head snap or by the twitching of a nose? HA! We wish. It comes through pain, frustration, perseverance and ADVERSITY. I'm talking about, deciding to make healthy lifestyle changes, then there's a potluck at work, adversity. It's that, 'I just committed to stop cursing and these kids, these coworkers or SUSAN!!! (no offense to any Susan) are testing me', adversity. Growth comes from the things that don't feel good to the flesh, but the end result is always better than the starting position. We become better, our environment becomes better.

So, if we can become better, we should. The getting better is an internal growth that comes through reciprocating God's love with obedience to Him, which is then manifested in the external conquering of challenges. Leaning into where God is growing you reflects His glorious wonder and emboldens your sense of worth, according to His standards not this world's.

How Do You Live Your Worth?

Lastly, if God thinks you're to die for then how can you love yourself with the same ferocity and dedication. Is it daily indulgences and frivolous splurging? Or is it discipline to rise above the superficial and self-edification our society promotes. It for sure isn't MORE selfies, which is my number 3 favorite hobby of all time. So, how dang it! How does one live their worth? Big picture answer: Die to yourself each day. Die to self-doubt, die to lust, die to procrastination, to bitterness, to unforgiveness, die to whatever is holding you hostage or stagnant. What that looks like in terms of practicality is individually tailored to you and what God is doing in your life. But I will tell you what it looks like for me.

I live my worth by being thoughtful with my money (which is so hard because I need black boots), but I am worth the money it will take to reach my 2018, 2019 & 2020 goals. I also, am dedicating an hour a day of quiet time in study and prayer and worship, because the joy and spiritual fulness it provides is worth it and overflowing with love for those close to me is def worth it. This list could continue for another ten minutes, but I won't. The last thing I will divulge is that I am living my worth by maintaining a neat and moderately clean home as much as possible, because the serenity it brings me and the lifestyle it is teaching my children is worth it.

There will be big and small gestures of how you live your worth and honor the value God has placed on your life. Just remember that when it gets challenging or confusing ask yourself, "What am I worth?" Not is IT worth it, but are YOU? Are you worth leaving that dead relationship, are you worth going back to school, are you worth denying your wants now to have your needs abundantly met later? What. Are. You. Worth? When answering, remember what God thinks of you and how He is trying to grow you. Then honestly decide if by doing so you're reflecting God's love for you onto yourself.

So, tell me sis. What are you worth?