21 Ways To Thrive By 45預覽

Believe You Are Loved

In every day and decade, we need to be reminded we’re more than enough. We’re worthy. We’re sometimes fooled by spending our time, energy, and intention looking for worth instead of operating from a place of worth.

In our youth, it’s not uncommon to find our value in someone else, applause from those “people” or in our dewy skin and tiny waistline. In our twenties and thirties, we find it in the size of our house, a man, our job, our pocketbook, and in as few stretch marks as possible after kids. We want so badly to look the part and have it all. Because then we’re worthy of love, right?

Like so many, I’ve found myself striving and reinventing myself for the perceived value that comes from someone else. There is nothing inherently wrong with nice cars, a trim waistline, and a dream job. If it becomes our everything, above communion with Jesus, we have a serious problem on our hands. We go on, grappling to earn our worth through activity and ownership rather than live as a true daughter of the King.

The truth is we are loved. Each and every one of us.

1 John 4:10 tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

The gift of love is already ours. There is no fountain of applause that will satisfy our deepest desire. What we believe about ourselves in light of God’s generous saving grace is the difference-maker.

We can be, simply be, ourselves. Not a shined-up version, just us. Imperfect and flawed. We access it when we call on the Master. The Redeemer. The Master sent his Son because you were worth it. The Redeemer looks to redeem every pain, sin, and loss because full redemption is possible through him.

In a defunct culture, where you’re valuable only if you’re the right color, right weight, with the right job, right car, and right platform, may we shout from the rooftops the true value of everyone including ourselves. Not defined by our expectations. May we speak value, worth, and love to ourselves and those around us because of the unconditional love of God. No exceptions.