Sometimes we can get so caught up in pursuing worldly success that we begin to think our value is based mainly on what we provide. If I can do work that offers a convenient solution or a service that people need, I may derive a sense of importance. The problem with this perspective is that we tie our identity to extrinsic potential rather than the intrinsic value we have in the sight of God. It may not be until the day comes when I cannot perform the tasks needed to feel valuable in the presence of others that I recognize the flaw in my logic. When my identity, purpose, and confidence reside in Jesus Christ, no one can take that away from me. It brings me profound comfort to know that no matter what my capacity in the eyes of man, in God’s eyes, my value is not based on accomplishment. His love for me does not ebb and flow based on my ability, consistency, intelligence, beauty, or anything that can fade or otherwise be taken away.
Interestingly, this unshakable foundation in Jesus Christ empowers us with the grace to pursue His will. We can most assuredly still appreciate the gifts our God has supplied, but we are infinitely better off trusting God rather than our ability. If we cultivate humility, it will facilitate our service to God in light of His calling for us. We will not need to worry about who receives the credit for our actions when we remember that God is our ultimate audience.
When we remind ourselves that He is continuously keeping perfect score, there is no room to worry about the trivial injustices that we face in this life. Man cannot close the doors God desires to open, and likewise, we are unable to force open the ones He wants to be shut. Accepting that this is part of life and embracing each season will help us find satisfaction in Him. Then, when we rest our delight in God, we show Him in faith that we are not over-valuing the things of this world over Him. In other words, we ought to look at God, Himself, as our reward rather than what He may generously provide us.
Another blessing to us is recognizing His sovereignty in the sense that He has perfectly ordained what appear to be imperfect circumstances to come to pass. No matter how good or bad things are, God allowed for those exact situations in our lives for His eternal glory and our eternal good if we love Him and obey His commands (Romans 8:28). He foreknew us and knitted us together in each of our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13-15). God knew the triumphs we would celebrate and the mistakes we would make along the way. He even knew the many sins we would commit and struggle with but still saw it fit to call us among His children.
Does this sound like the kind of God who would value you based on your performance? I certainly do not believe so. It is essential not to absolve ourselves because of this line of thinking from doing good works to the glory of God. However, they are more along the lines of a symptom to our being His children and not the mechanism by which we find good standing in God’s sight. Neither do we offer anything other than our sin when it comes to salvation. After all, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, even our faith is provided in a given measure to each of us according to God’s desire.
As believers, we ought not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3). It is vital to esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3)! Indeed, this is a radical position to take compared to how the majority of our society operates. If we are honest, it is often an individual aspiration for us as believers to ensure we progress in achieving these Biblical ideals. However, putting ourselves in a position of humility usually opens doors for us to serve others in distinctive ways. It also provides a great deal of satisfaction to look outside oneself to help others instead of exclusively thinking of our well-being (Acts 20:35). It is no wonder that many of our fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ encourage us and set examples for us with this kind of perspective in their hearts.
Once we have tasted the joy and satisfaction offered to us by abiding in God, it is only logical to continue in line with that calling (John 15:4-11). Nothing the world can offer us parallels such blessings. Furthermore, it grants us the unique opportunity to give as if we were giving unto God Himself (Matthew 25:31-40). Of course, this proposition only becomes more appealing when we remember that we are in the business of storing up heavenly treasures in the process, too (Matthew 6:19-21). Is there a greater combined motivation than to know you are directly giving to God’s purposes and positioning yourself by His grace to receive eternal rewards too?
We must often fight for these realities to come to fruition. The walk of a believer is not to be taken lightly. Each of us must count the cost and act respectively (Luke 14:26-33). We need to persevere over obstacles through reliance on God and overcome the waves of difficulty and temptations that come our way. Yet, if we turn to God and His provisions, we will not face a situation that we cannot conquer with the help of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). On the same token, it is of great assistance to keep an eternal disposition when we deal with worldly setbacks or trials.
It is with our eye on Jesus Christ and maintaining that eternal position that we come back full circle to the blessing of God’s sovereignty in our lives—reminding ourselves that even in the deepest valleys, our God has a plan for us. While the seasons may be unpleasant at times, there will always be another tomorrow to look forward to as long as God desires for us to serve Him here on earth. Finally, when our time here has run short, we can take confidence in the knowledge that we ran the race set before us with vigor for God’s glory. We can be sure, as believers, our destination ahead of us is unfathomably preferable (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In the end, the believer is truly faced with a win-win scenario, for we know that to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Whether we live or die, we are in the hands of a God that loves us, knows us better than we know ourselves, and desires what is best for us in an eternal context. After all, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39)!
