We all begin wondering, at some time, if we’re actually of any value, any use at our place of employment. Most jobs don’t seem to do a very good at having valued and of meaningful use as a major part of the organizations philosophy. And if it’s true in the secular world… isn’t it also true in the spiritual?
NO. NO. NO. A thousand times NO!!! This doesn’t mean that we don’t feel this way, but God certainly doesn’t. Look at just 2 scriptures that tell us:
James 1:16-18, MSG
“So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all His Creatures.”
Ephesians 2:8-10. AMP]]
“For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”
See?! The world has gotten it all wrong. If it emulated what the Word says, then the question of valued would never arise. And the word ‘use’ would take on an entirely different meaning. The fact that it doesn’t shouldn’t be a deterrent or excuse – you can always create this for the world in which you live that you have some influence in/over. No? Why? Everyone needs to feel valued in their lives. What’s the point if there is no meaning and purpose to what you do and no one values your contribution? And this is where ‘use’ fits in. Use is not used. Too often that is the reality.
So what can we do in which the secular world is so diametrically opposed to our spiritual world? I have a couple of suggestions that may work…
- Don’t expect acknowledgement of value and use from the secular world remembering that we are citizens of a Kingdom not of this world. However, when praise does occur – don’t let it go to your head but enjoy it too.
- Don’t let the world’s behavior dictate yours. You can always encourage others through your valuing of them and letting them know.
- Remember that our ‘reward’ is from the Father and He is always blessing us. Lean on Him and He will restore and refresh us.
- Continue to live with the goal of being of value by being of use – even when it isn’t seen by others.
I’m certain that you will find other ways to realize your worth and that it really doesn’t come from others… and it really does come from the Father.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 3:13-14 AMP
“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, [a]appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:2-4 AMP
