How we can bring value (worth) into our lives and those around us. We see people hurting every day out in the world and we have the Source to point them to. Valuing a person so that they can see their worth is by far a most important tool in seeing a soul find their eternal peace.
Webster defines value as: worth; that property or those properties of a thing which render it useful or estimable. Value then is a special commodity that we set on people and things and show great importance to. What do we value? What should we value?
VALUE OUR LORD
This may seem a bit obvious but our first value should be to our Lord. Our Savior died on a cross to give us eternal life showing then that He valued us above His own self. This should have us sitting back for a moment and soaking in gratefulness to Him. Psalm 118:1 really sums this up well. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.”
VALUE OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Our world has begun (for many years now) to not place value on life. Our world has stopped seeing people as an individual gift from God and has started seeing them as liabilities to some world theory. When we stop placing value on others, we stop loving them. Give value to that neighbor who may have some loud music from time to time by reminding yourself that they need Christ in their lives.
Put value on that elderly person taking forever to cross the street by praying for them to stay safe and be well in their old age. Don’t forget to put value on that little toddler yelling in the supermarket by asking God to touch their lives and fill them with His Spirit when they get older. I John 4:11 says, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
VALUE OUR THINGS
Yes, things matter, too. By things, I mean value your pets and value your plants in your garden. Take care of the house and items God has given you. When we place a value on all the things we have worked hard to obtain then we will take care of them. Every plant that is shooting up in my pots outside is a joy to me. I am showing value to the creation around me. Every time the cardinal flies up to our bird feeder or I see the woodpecker on the tree I get excited because God’s creation is speaking to me of the glorious world we live in.
In showing value to our earthly goods, we acknowledge the hard work it took to get them and can be thankful to our Creator for enabling us to work hard with our own hands to obtain these things. My children are learning this as they work to pay for their own items. Pierre’s favorite verse is: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Ecc. 9:10) We take better care of the things we work hard for.
VALUE OURSELVES
I think all of the above can be easy to do and acknowledge but sometimes we fail to value ourselves. Are we taking time each day to be alone with God to recharge and prepare our hearts ready to face whatever the world will throw at us that day? Do we value our inner souls? Do we take time to prepare healthy and hearty food for the bodies that God gave us? Are we valuing our bodies as the only body we have in life. We need to take care of ourselves.
Do we meditate throughout the day on God’s Word. We should daily pray even if it is to thank Him for the beauty around us or send a heartfelt and quick prayer up for strength in a situation? Do we value our mental well-being? To value ourselves is to take care of our soul, our mind and our body. It isn’t selfish to make sure you’re running well spiritually, mentally and physically first and foremost.
It is better for all those around you if you take care of you first. Grab your Bible and get into the Word and live in the Spirit. This is going to be of such great value to you that you’ll have a brilliant day in Him. I Corinthians 3:16 says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Will you start showing value in these areas? When you do you will become more like our Savior and His love will shine out!
