I was thinking about the ways in which we tend to define ourselves. We are all guilty of labelling everything and everyone. Those labels are often given through our perceptions and are mostly unfair and unaccurate. We cannot label people. Every human is infinately more complex than we are aware.
For instance, I began to think that I am first and foremost a child of God and a disciple of Jesus. Next, I am a family man. A husband, a son, a brother, a grandson, a brother-in-law, and a son-in-law.
What I’ve come to believe is that none of this can be separated. I am a child of God. I am a sinner. I am an idolater. I like international business. I like good books, good food, and great coffee. I love Indonesia and have a passion for Indonesian people. But none of these things can define me. My value is not the sum of my parts.
I have an intrinsic core value that will not decrease. I didn’t set this value and I can’t alter it. Other people can’t measure it. Other people can’t compare my value to their own. No one can remove my value.
Materially speaking, the sum of every item on earth could not measure against my intrinsic value.
Often I forget the nature of this value. I cannot comprehend my worth. So I go out to look for other things that can give me value. Value that people can see. Prestige. Power. Things.
But then I awake to the realization that these things have a superficial worth applied by man who will one day die. Or the things die. One will occur first. And then what? The value is gone.
Hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades. Irreplaceable time spent obtaining this worth. And in an instant – bankruptcy comes like a thief in the night. Everything that I worked for – gone.
Poverty.
But then I hear singing. I look around. The laughter is contageous. Dancing.
It is the children. They look happy. I can feel their joy.
They have no worries, no cares, no tears, no things.
If one of them were to come into harms way, I would protect them. If one cried in fear, I would assure them that there is nothing to fear and then I’d protect them against anything that tried to hurt them.
If I cried, would someone consol me? If I was afraide, would someone protect me? If I was hungry, cold, or thirsty, would some one feed me, clothe me, or quench my thirst?
If I had none of the things that add value?
But the children. They also have non of the things that add value. But they sing. They laugh. They dance. I would protect them. I value them. Why?
Their intrinsic value shines through. They know their worth. They know they are special. And they live freely.
The world sees this. And many laugh with them.
That child is me. Those children are us.
The value that we see when we look at those children is the same value that’s in us. Although the world may not see it, there is One who does. Like our value, the One cannot be defined. The sum of this universe was made by His hand. Called into being by the Words of the Mighty One.
Our value comes from Him. Our value will always exist. This value will always be real. When I am poor, I can say “I am rich”. My value will never fade. The One gave it to me.When I realise this is in my deepest being, everything will change. Choices will be made freely independent of worldly value. Smiles and laughter and dancing will come more naturally inviting the world who sees to join in the festival of life.
Freedom to live. Freedom to choose. Freedom to be who we are – the people God created us to be.
In this freedom our food is His word. Our strength is His joy. Our lifeblood is His Spirit.
As the breath of life was blown into the nostrils of Adam, Adam walked inteimately with God. His value was known. Our resusitation from the breath of God is here. Oure value will be known. Freedom will ring.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than
food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow.
They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of
the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What
shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans
run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25-33)
