It’s been amazing to me these last few days how fast my internal dialogue can shift. After one productive day I think, “Wow, you got a lot done today. You’re great!” Then one day I spend time coloring and binge-watching an entire season of Chuck and I think, “You’re so lazy. You’re wasting your life. You’ll never be successful.”
When productivity becomes a measure for my self-worth, I’m in a precarious mental and spiritual state. Perhaps productivity isn’t your concern. You can binge-watch like a champion without any worries whatsoever. But maybe your appearance, your muscle tone, or your validation from others is your measure for your self-worth. Or perhaps you find self-worth in the state of your household, the good behavior of your children, the relationship with your spouse, your anxiety level, or any other external or internal measure.
Society has various guidelines for what makes a person worthy as well. Age, appearance, wealth, success, ethnicity, temperament, etc. But even these are not universally accepted. The elderly are considered out-dated and out-of-touch in certain parts of the world and revered for their wisdom and experience in others. For some success looks like a seven-figure bank account and for others, it means a meaningful job or certain letters after their name.
With all of these different measures, how can we know that we matter?
Scripture has a lot to say about a person’s worth, and none of the measures listed above make the list. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us,
“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, the the Lord looks on the heart.”
God measures a person’s worth according to His standards of perfection and holiness. According to these standards, we could never measure up—that is, apart from His grace. The grace God gives to us is far greater than any accomplishment we could ever muster in our own abilities. Essentially, our worth can be boiled down to two things:
1) Every single human being is of incomparable worth to God because we are made in God’s image. There is not a single one of us that can say we aren’t good enough because the measure isn’t us—it’s God. We have worth because He has stamped His image on our hearts and minds and spirits and there’s no escaping it.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27
2) Every single human being is of incomparable worth to God because His Son paid the ultimate price of His blood so that we could be united with Him forever. We have the option of accepting or rejecting that gift, but it is made available to all. When we accept the gift of Jesus’ shed blood on our behalf, our record before God is washed clean as if we’d never sinned. When God looks at His children, He sees each one wrapped in the pure love of Jesus which makes us holy despite our faults.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
So whether or not I abide by my own standards of worth or the standards society has set for me, I know that I have worth and that I am loved far more than I will ever understand. If it was up to me doing everything right or saying everything right or looking like a model or having a proper house, I’d never measure up. The opinions others have of me or those I have of myself are of little worth.
The only thing that matters is what God thinks and He says:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” – Jeremiah 31:3
“I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” – Isaiah 41:13
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1
When the days grow long and the voices get loud in your head, remind yourself of these truths. God knows everything about you. He saw you in your mother’s womb, He knows the moment you will take your last breath, and He holds you tight for every moment in between. Base your worth on Him. He’s got you in the palm of His hand. (Isaiah 49:16)
Interested in receiving an email each time a new post goes live? Click the button below to sign up. As a special gift to you, you’ll receive my photo ebook, The Wonder Woman’s Manifesto.
From the moment I first heard about the Coronavirus sweeping the world I’ve maintained the same stance. It sounds cruel, but it’s true. We all have a terminal sentence. From the moment we are conceived the clock begins ticking on our time on earth. At some point, we will all take a final breath here and enter into eternity. The vehicle for that passing could be a disease, a disaster, or simply old age. But death is a certainty we all must face.
Facing death is easier when your hope for eternity is rooted in Jesus. Knowing that He paid the ultimate price so that I might live with Him forever gives me peace. I don’t look forward to the struggles that I may endure before seeing His face, including the struggle of dying, but I know He will be with me through the pain and lead me as the Good Shepherd He is.
However, this peace doesn’t always reign in my heart. I don’t fear death, but I do fear pain. I fear the unknown. And I greatly fear the changes to our current world order that Jesus foretold would take place before His return to establish His kingdom.
In fact, last week, I confessed to a friend that I was terrified. I look at how quickly our lives went from a normal rhythm to panic to isolation and it scares me. I think of the freedom of religion we have had the blessing of worshipping under in this nation and I realize that could one day be taken away. I recognize the full kitchen cupboards I’ve enjoyed and the steady paycheck I’ve come to count on and I know it could all be gone in an instant.
Essentially, what God has revealed to me through the Coronavirus is that I’ve been pulling levers and turning wheels like the great Wizard of Oz and believing my own lies. I’ve acted as if I have control over my life, my health, and my future. I’ve told myself that if I work hard enough, God will give me the dream life I’ve always wanted. I’ve believed that if I hold tight enough, the privilege I’ve enjoyed will be mine forever.
When the economy started to crumble and the safety precautions sent everyone home, I saw the truth. Much of my faith is simply smoke and mirrors. I trust Jesus to usher me into His presence when I die, but I don’t always rest in the fullness of His presence in daily life. I claim to want to help others, but I’m far more concerned about myself.
Jesus said,
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
When I look to the future, I want friends, family, financial security, and a house by the beach in a sunny, warm city. But Jesus didn’t promise us sandy toes and 401Ks. He promised tribulation and even persecution for His name’s sake.
Though this may all sound bleak, He also promised that He would never leave or forsake us. I’ve been reminded that when this life is over, all that will matter is Jesus. There is no inconvenience, no trial, no pain that we won’t be thankful for because these things show us the truth of who we are so we can align ourselves better with Him.
Listen to these last words Jesus prayed on behalf of His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane before being arrested and crucified:
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake, I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, (that’s us!)that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” – John 17:15-23
Four things give me courage in these words from our Savior apart from the mind-blowing truth that JESUS PRAYED FOR US. In His last moments, He wasn’t worried about Himself. He prayed that God would keep us from the evil one. Incredible.
We are not of this world. We were created with eternity in our hearts. This world is not our final destination. As the old song says, we’re just “passin’ through.”
Jesus died so that we might be washed clean in the truth of His saving grace. He did that for you and me. And He did it so that God would be glorified.
Jesus died so that we might enter into relationship with God and each other. That we could share in the unity of His life.
In us becoming one with the Father and in unity with each other, we will show the world that God loves them too—just as much as God loves Jesus.
If that doesn’t just make your heart want to explode right out of your chest I don’t know what will.
Listen, friends. Listen to what Jesus said. By growing in our relationship with God and others we will show the world His love. By sharing our toilet paper with our neighbors and checking on the elderly, we show God’s love. We prefer others over ourselves when we stay home when we’d rather be anywhere else. And when we speak words of faith and hope instead of fear, we glorify Jesus, who has conquered death and promises new life, eternal life for all who place their trust in Him.
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I’m not guaranteed another breath. Despite what I like to believe, I’m not in control. I can be a good steward of this life I’ve been given, but only God knows the length of the dash on my tombstone.
What I do know is that God is good and I can trust Him. I can rest knowing that whatever I face, I will never be alone. He is always with me, giving me strength, wisdom, and courage when I have none within myself. Even in suffering, He has promised good. I can stop trying to fool myself into believing I’ve got everything under control because I know that He does and He has a good plan for my life even if it ends up looking different than the one I have imagined. A plan to prosper me, not to harm me—to give me hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
From the time we first take breath on this planet we have a desire to be seen, loved, and wanted. As we grow, we manage this desire somewhat but it never fully goes away. We may transfer this desire from parents to a cute boy on campus, a significant role at a company, or an award or accolade, but we never lose the longing to be accepted, chosen, to matter.
On this day that magnifies human connection, those without a significant other to validate our feelings can sting. Having emotions that run deep into our core can make us feel exposed and vulnerable. We want to shrink back. We wrap our hearts in protective sheets of independence and sarcasm, perfectionism and determination.
But what if we looked at vulnerability as courage? What if allowing ourselves to rest in the tension of both desire and lack—having sincerity about our feelings, opening the truth of ourselves up to the world—what if this was an act of bravery? Instead of shrinking into the shadows of your singleness, what if you stepped into the light of God’s love and extended that love to those around you? Could you be so bold?
The beautiful and wise Brene Brown shares this in her book Daring Greatly:
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
Encasing our hearts in the bubble wrap of self-protection feels like safety, but it blocks us from the love we seek. It hampers our ability to connect with others and to minister effectively to them.
To be vulnerable is to be like Jesus. And it helps to know that Jesus gives us the security out of which we can be real with others, for He has already chosen us. He sees all the dark secrets of our hearts and He loves us. He desires to be with us.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
– 1 Peter 2:9-10
Deposit that truth deep in your soul and from that place of belonging will grow the fruit of love, empathy, and honesty needed to live a life of significance and service. God never meant for us to hide. He created us to be warriors, not wallflowers. You have everything you need within you, for you have Him!
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
– Colossians 3:12-13
On this day of pink and red and candy and flowers, lift your head and look for the outliers. Embrace the love God has for you and share it with someone who might not have the same security in Christ you have. Rest in the security of Jesus’ love for you—a love so strong He died for you! Be the brave, vulnerable, beautiful soul God created you to be, on Valentine’s Day and every day.
Interested in receiving an email each time a new post goes live? Click the button below to sign up. As a special gift to you, you’ll receive my photo ebook, The Wonder Woman’s Manifesto.
I know it feels like you are. Losing your lunch in a parking lot because of a panic attack makes you feel broken. Racing thoughts that keep sleep at bay for days at a time can make you wonder if you’re crazy. Having flashbacks that make you leave a full grocery cart in an aisle while you run to your car and lock the doors can make you feel you will never be normal. But please hear this:
There are mysteries that God created in the human body that doctors and scientists are just now beginning to understand. It’s been less than 100 years since scientists discovered neurons and the chemical and electrical functions within the brain. Less than 30 years since doctors discovered that traumas we experience in childhood impact our physical health into our adulthood, even playing a part in our life expectancy. Just in the last 10 years have scientists discovered that trauma can change our DNA, the effects of which can pass genetically on to our children—a truth shockingly relevant considering Deuteronomy 5:9-10.
“I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
When the Psalmist recorded that you are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139), he wasn’t exaggerating to prove a point. God made you in His image—a wondrous masterpiece of cells and synapses woven together to proclaim His glory. When your body recognizes a potential threat and reacts according to the way God programmed it to protect you, that doesn’t mean that something’s wrong with you. Your body is doing exactly what God designed it to do. That you may later be ashamed by those reactions is nothing more than your Enemy whispering lies into your ears to make you feel shame God never intended for you to carry.
When God formed your body in the darkness of your mother’s womb, He did so with love. It doesn’t matter if the instigation of the miracle was rape or the woman who carried you abandoned you in the hospital, God loves you. God has always loved you and will always love you.
Nothing that you have done and nothing anyone has done to you can ever change God’s love for you. Sin is not bigger than your God. Trauma is not bigger than your God.
“Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39
YOU ARE BRAVE.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
YOU ARE LOVED.
You are not broken. In fact, the next time the Enemy tries to make you feel less than the breathtaking masterpiece that you are, shout back at him this:
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” – Isaiah 61:10
There is nothing more stunning than a glittering bride, and you, my friend, are the Bride of Christ. Hold your head high and let 2020 be the year you ripped the word “broken” from your vocabulary. You may be quirky, unique, and feisty. You can call yourself a work-in-progress. You can even be a phoenix rising out of the ashes of the past. But you are not, nor will you ever be broken.
Interested in receiving an email from me each time a new blog post goes live?Click here to subscribe!
In the last few years, in lieu of making new year’s resolutions, I’ve chosen a word for the year. A banner, of sorts, which summarized and hopefully prophesied what God might do in and through me in the months ahead.
I had no plans to choose a word this year, but God chose one for me. As I served at Passion 2020, I had the privilege of hearing several of the messages. During a talk by Shelly Giglio, Holy Spirit swept into my heart with the word TRANSFORMATION. Instantly my spirit agreed. 2020 is to be a year of transformation. But what does that mean exactly?
Backing up nearly two months before (my how time flies), I recalled feeling defeated as my birthday shifted me from my 30s to my 40s. I thought of all God had done in the previous ten years and while I could see His hand moving at every stage, I still felt as if I had missed the mark. In that time I had written four, and released three books, none of them “successful” in the eyes of the publishing world, started a ministry that made little visible difference, and then moved to Michigan, a state most wise people move away from not to. I had dreamed for years to adopt by the age of 40 and now the idea of being a mom seemed more impossible than ever before. Having a home, an income capable of supporting a child, and a career to be proud of all felt like smoke and mirrors—illusions that disappeared into nothing as time marked on and left me empty and alone. My 30s were nothing more than a series of false starts and the next decade showed little promise of change.
Nevertheless, I went to Passion hopeful that the masses of young people would encourage my heart as they have the previous three years and that I would begin the new year and new decade refreshed in my spirit. I wasn’t disappointed.
The opening night of Passion, pastor Levi Lusko shared the history of the Roaring 20s, the prosperity of which inadvertently led to the Dirty 30s, a time of great drought, The Great Depression, and devastating wind and sand storms that destroyed industry and lives throughout the Great Plains states for eight years. He reminded us that the actions of one decade lead to the consequences of the next, but living in obedience to God in your 20s (or any decade) can lead to a great outpouring of God’s blessing in your 30s and beyond.
The last day of Passion, Shelly shared how she and Louie met and how their desire to know God intimately and serve Him in faith led to them pioneer a student ministry that paved the way for Passion Conferences. The first conference in 1997 had 2,000 attendees—23 years later, God filled a stadium with over 65,000 students and 3,500 volunteers to lift His name in praise and worship. The faithfulness of one couple’s 20s, 30s, and 40s are reaping a harvest of thousands of souls in their later years.
After coming home, I read the books “I Declare War” by Levi Lusko, and “Unexpected” by Christine Caine, another Passion 2020 speaker. In each of those books, I was reminded that what is done for God in the dark is magnified later for His glory. Levi said this:
“Public victory comes from private discipline. If you aren’t busting your butt to kill it where you are, God isn’t going to turn the volume up on your life. He isn’t going to export to greater platforms what isn’t working at home.”
In Christine’s book, she talked of her years working in student ministry throughout the backside of Australia before God called her to begin the worldwide anti-trafficking organization A21 at the age of 41 years old. She needed those years of obscurity to learn and prepare for standing before policymakers and heads of state to champion for the men, women, and children enslaved in human trafficking around the world. Today over 1,000 people have been rescued and restored through A21’s aftercare program because of one woman’s faithfulness when no one was paying any attention and her belief that God could do the impossible when He chose to.
Today I was reading the book “Experiencing God” by Henry and Richard Blackaby. In chapter 9 I read these words:
“Don’t be in a hurry to be constantly engaged in activities for God. He may spend years preparing your character or developing your love relationship with Him before He gives you a large assignment. Don’t get discouraged if the task or “call” does not come immediately. Remain faithful in what He has told you to do, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant it may appear. God knows what He is doing. Focus on deepening your communion with God, and out of that fellowship will inevitably flow effective service for God.”
Will this be the year that my writing finally gathers the attention of an agent and publishing house? I don’t know. Will 2020 bring great success and life-change to the clients I serve through LifeClinic? I hope so, but there’s no guarantee there either. Will I become a mother? Will any of my personal or professional goals be achieved? Will my life be visibly transformed for all the world to see? Maybe. Maybe not.
What I do know, is that God wants to use this year to draw me closer to Him. He wants me to fall more and more in love with Him each passing day. He wants me to bring my concerns and dreams to Him in prayer, snuggle up to Him when I’m worried what the future holds, and seek His strength when I feel the tasks I’ve been called to are beyond my ability. In doing so I will be transformed.
There are many things I hope will come about as a result of the hidden work and prayers I planted in my 30s, but in actuality, I have very little control over the harvest. All I can do is continue in obedience and the growing of my faith and love for God. It’s His job to take my meager offerings and multiply them as He sees fit. Maybe He knows that a publishing contract would do more harm to my spirit than good. Maybe He has a different plan for the trauma program at LifeClinic than I envision. It could be the child He has chosen for me to mother hasn’t been born yet. It’s not my job to force my imagined future into being. My job is simply to be faithful, be obedient, and do the next right thing in faith.
Transformation, by Google’s definition, is “a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.” What that looks like come December 31st is up to God. Whether or not He has anything to work with is up to me. May He give me the strength, wisdom, and faith to follow Him wherever He may lead.
