Valuable

What is the measure of a person’s worth? 

With all the quirky characteristics I have, at times I question God’s creativity when it came to forming me.  My crazy imagination envisions God sitting at the potter’s wheel staring at a lump of clay thinking about how He could do something different.  Then an idea strikes Him.  He looks over at the many shelves holding all the different jars of personalities and characteristics.  With a renewed purpose in His creativity, He closes His eyes and begins walking along the many racks randomly grabbing different traits and behaviors.  Then He puts a little of this and a little of that with a lot of something and mixes it all up and throws it into the lump of clay.  With determination written on his face, He molds the clay into me.  Once done, He stands back, smiles, and says, “There, this is Gwen.  Let’s see what she can do with the life I just gave her!”

Does anyone else ponder why they are the way they are?

At sixty-one years old, I have learned a lot about myself, but not everything.  I think God got a little wild when He made me!  I’m still discovering new traits about myself.  Like an onion I keep peeling off another layer of me wondering when I’ll reach the core. 

As exciting and adventurous my life as Gwen has been, I struggle at times questioning God’s reason for my existence especially when deceptive thoughts start to play over in my head.  “No one cares what I have to say.”  “I’m not good enough.”  “My past defines me.”  “Change is too hard, so just stay the same.”

In my bathroom, there is a large mirror above the counter.  To reach my bedroom, I must pass through the bathroom.  Often, I catch a glimpse of myself in this mirror.  Sometimes, I stop and face it directly.  When I look at the woman in the glass, I am reminded of a profound truth.  I didn’t just appear out of nowhere, like ‘POOF’ I’m here!  Nope. 

Psalm 139:13 – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Existing in this world is something that anyone can do.  But living the life that was gifted to me requires much more.   Sometimes I think I have discovered my purpose and meaning and other times I feel like a failure with the ‘DANGER ZONE’ yellow ribbon wrapped all over me.  This is probably when God rolls his eyes at me, His shoulders rising up and down with a deep exasperated breath, and then reaches His hand out to stop me.  “Gwen, I intricately and personally created you.  You are very valuable to me.”  I have to laugh, because I’m sure the look on His face says, how many times do I need to remind you of this. 

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God created me uniquely.  There is only one of me and you all should be thankful for this!

My worth as a person is not defined by external factors like achievements, possessions, or social standards.  It’s an intrinsic value, a truth spoken by God that I am of worth who is loved.  Now, how cool is this!

“As long as you look for someone else to validate who you are by seeking their approval, you are setting yourself up for disaster. You have to be whole and complete in yourself. No one can give you that. You have to know who you are – what others say is irrelevant.” – Nic Sheffen

When I look at other people, I see how successful and talented they are.  Then I begin comparing myself to these individuals and wonder why I’m such a failure.  I don’t play the piano like some of the pianist I enjoy listening to.  My writing skills are not at the level of some famous authors I know.   Singing, well let’s not go there, that was definitely not a gift that I was blessed with.  Then there are leaders who have the amazing ability to inspire and guide others with success, but this skill also sidestepped me.

“If you are gifted in an area that doesn’t reach the spotlight, don’t worry.  God sees your value.” – Charles R. Swindoll

I may not have excelled in one skill but I have experienced many different things that have given me new insight on life.  My zeal for adventures has opened doors to new connections and given me opportunities to meet many people from different walks of life.

My worth or value is not something that can be neatly wrapped up with a bow.  It’s an ongoing discovery of who I am as I embrace the uniqueness of me and the purpose God created me for.  It’s nice to be reminded that God doesn’t make mistakes, only masterpieces. 

Maybe my crazy life will encourage and remind someone else that they too have a purpose with a unique gift that only they have been entrusted with.  Maybe they will see their worth and value.

Secretly I hope I never reach the center of that onion, because what would I do for fun and adventure then!

“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone else’s inability to see your work.” – Author unknown

You may think you’re one little meaningless worthless speck in this vast universe.  That is a lie.  The truth is you are of great value.  To God you are of profound worth to Him who loves you immensely.   Allow God to cultivate that beautiful you that He created you to be. 

Image by Marina_Skoropadskaya provided by iStock

Gwen