Is your worth in what you do?
Remember when the pandemic shutdown first started? A friend wrote that it takes 28 days to build a habit, and she was going to start building some new ones, some better habits. I said, “That’s a great perspective–I’m all over that!” Well, it’s been more than 28 days. It’s been 45 days as of today (May 1). How are those shiny, new, “better” habits coming? Hmmm….
I have found myself feeling less effective, less productive, even less valuable. The first two are understandable–it’s difficult to be as effective and productive when much of “life” is virtually at a stand-still. But if this forced slow-down makes me feel less valuable, then I’m basing my worth on performance.
It’s as if I think I need to EARN my place in this world. As right as that may sound or feel–it’s wrong It’s not biblical. It’s not gospel–“Good News.”
The first Bible verse that many people learn is John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
In Romans chapter 5, the Bible says
“Christ died for the ungodly” (verse 6),
“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (verse 8),
and that He reconciled us “while we were enemies” (verse 10).
Ungodly, sinners, enemies. These were the people that Jesus died for–not for the those who were “worthy.”
God loved us enough to send His own Son to die in our place. Jesus took our sins to the cross, He was buried, and He rose again conquering both sin and death. God offers forgiveness to us if we ask. He has made the provision for our redemption. He wants us to receive His grace! Salvation is not something that we can earn—it’s a gift we receive. It’s not something we deserve—it is grace, undeserved favor with God.
My worth is not in what I do or how I perform. It is found in this truth:
God loved me and sent His Son to rescue me. That’s the gospel. That’s why it’s called “Good News.”
Could you use some “Good News”?