Coffee With God
by Kristen Zuray
I’m Valuable
May 31, 2012 by kristenzuray
During the past few months as our family struggled with illness, we became hooked on watching the reality show, The Biggest Loser on Netflix. Cheers went up when the team we were rooting for won the challenges; complaints were made when a team member played the “game”; and tears were shed when the contestants shared their innermost pain. Bob and Jillian, the toughest trainers ever, were always there shouting in their faces, “Get over the guilt! Start seeing yourself as worth it! You are valuable! NOW SAY IT!”
“I’m worth it! I’m valuable!” the contestant would shout with tears running down their faces.
With the roll of the eyes, my first thought was, “More of this self-esteem junk.” As the series went on, I found myself relating to some of the contestants. Bob and Jillian’s counsel was beginning to make some sense.
After pondering their statements, I took a bold step in questioning myself, “Do I see myself as valuable?” Sadly, the answer was a resounding NO. Hmmm. Time to explore. “Self, why don’t you see yourself as valuable?” The answer came back with two reasons: 1. Years of mistreatment from people and 2. Being taught that self-esteem was wrong, God doesn’t need you, You are a sinner and don’t forget it!
Now before you think I’ve jumped off the deep end, I’m about to bring balance here. When the world comes out with a philosophy, Christians will often jump to the other extreme in their philosophy for separation sake. Instead of going to the extremes, truthful balance needs to be found.
I agree that there is danger in the self-esteem movement from the secular viewpoint. Placing yourself above others is wrong and it brings only sorrow. On the flip side, the Christian view point should be to take care of your needs so that you can serve others better. For example, my husband and I always felt guilty about exercising because it would mean setting time aside from the kids and the ministry. The truth was that we were doing more harm than good for the kids and the ministry because we allowed ourselves to get run down. The contestants on the show struggled with the same guilt, but they realized that this change was needed in their lives not just for themselves but for their children as well. There is a time when you do need to focus on dealing with your physical, emotional, and spiritual problems. In order to do this, you may have to say “no” to someone. This is not a selfish act! Consider Mary. Did God consider her to be selfish because she took time to learn from Him instead of helping Martha? No, He commended her for it. (Luke 10:38-41) Would it be considered selfish of Jesus and the disciples when they stepped away from the crowds to rest (Mark 6:30-32)? No. Then why do people feel guilty when they need to step away from life to invest in themselves? Balance is the key. Are youinvesting in yourself so that you may better invest in others or are you investing in yourself to satisfy the flesh? There’s a difference.
The second “Christian philosophy” is that God doesn’t need you. Really? Yes, God created the world without our human help. God can do anything He wants to without our human strength. In that respect God doesn’t need our humanness. BUT God CHOSE to use humans to share His redemption to the world, so He does need us to obey His will because He Chose us. He didn’t choose us to plant trees or wait on tables or any other temporal task. He may place us in those tasks for the soul purpose of being a witness. He chose us to fulfill a much higher purpose! Doesn’t that make us valuable? He CHOSE US to carry on His work at Calvary and to share eternity with others!!! That is a high calling!
Another prevailing thought that keeps us thinking that we are worthless is “You are a sinner and don’t forget it!” Yes, we are sinners saved by grace. We are unworthy of Christ’s shed blood, BUT once we have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation all that changes! We are no longer known as sinners but as Redeemed! Temple of God! Bride of Christ! Children of God! Free! With all these titles and promises that God has given to us, why do we feel that it is wrong to say we are valuable? God made us of great worth when He gave His only Son to die in our place! If Christ didn’t give His life for us, then we can view ourselves as worthless, but since He did, we need to see ourselves as He sees us. Valuable! Treasures! Priceless!
If we can accept our value through God’s eyes, then three things SHOULD happen. First, we will have more confidence and excitement in our service to God. Secondly, people’s harsh judgments won’t affect us as deeply. Lastly, our view of others should
become more compassionate as we recognize their value to God.
become more compassionate as we recognize their value to God.
Now I need to step into the role of Jillian on The Biggest Loser and ask you, “Are you valuable? Are you worth putting time into so you can help others?” Your answer should mingle with mine. Let’s shout it out, “Yes! I am VALUABLE! I am a child of the King!”
Redeemed ~ I Peter 1:18a, 19a: “For you know that you were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ…”
Temple ~ 1Cr 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Bride of Christ ~ Rev 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
Children of God ~ Gal 3:26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Free ~ Gal. 5:1a “Christ has liberated us into freedom…”
Precious ~ Isaiah 43:4 “Because you are PRECIOUS in my sight and HONORED, and I LOVE YOU…”
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