Have you ever
attended an affair of some kind where the people
surrounding you did nothing but brag about their
life accomplishment, or inform you of their "worth?"
Attending a High
School class reunion some years ago, feeling
uncomfortable with the life I had made for myself.
I felt worthless in comparison to theirs. Some had
become doctors, nurses, lawyers, and many held high
positions in large companies. Nearly all of them
talked of children attending private schools and big
college plans for the future.
Myself, on the other
hand, was (and still am today) quite ordinary. My
children attended public schools and I have worked
in retail for the better part of my life.
Back then, I felt
worthless. I measured my standards with theirs. HUGE
MISTAKE!!
I was measuring my
feeling of worthlessness by the wrong standards!
I have come to
realize that God doesn't think more or less of us
based on our job, our financial status, our homes,
or even our academic success. Our worth and dignity
is rooted in the fact that God created us and that
His Son died for us. And what's important to Him is
our degree of trust, faith, and service done for His
sake, not our own. Keeping up with our
neighbors and friends should not be a top priority
in our lives!
Jesus speaks of
the rich young ruler in the above Scripture verse.
If I may paraphrase here, He tells us that those who
follow Him, regardless of their earthly status, will
be rewarded for their faith and commitment. And when
God gives out rewards, there will be many surprises!
" . . . many that
are first shall be last; and the
last shall be first."
This is something to think on.
Where do you stand
within the circle of your family, neighbors, and
friends? Or better yet, where will you stand
before God one day? Might be wise to make a serious
choice today while you still have the chance. We
should measure our worth and that of others by God's
standards ~ not ours! We will never become failures
when we seek to do the will of God.
Serving in Love,
Sandy
