What are you worth?

I suppose a first response would be "Not as much as I was a year ago." This, of course, is monetary "worth". Or a response I heard recently, "I not only lost my job, the industry has gone beyond me. Nobody needs what I have been trained to do anymore." We can measure worth in terms of knowledge or skills. Or another response: "I have made such poor choices in my life that I am worthless. You do not know the guilt and shame I feel." We can feel a sense of worthlessness in response to behavior, regrets, and guilt.

Zaccheaus, one of the wealthiest men in town, did not feel safe or worthy to be in the crowd. He hid in a tree to see Jesus. Jesus saw value in him and went to be with him at his home. A woman of the streets came to Jesus. They tried to push her away and Jesus extended himself to her. She was forgiven. Jesus said "her sins which are many are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." She felt worthless. She was open, she was honest. Her God given value to love was able to surface.

Our value is God given... we are daughters and sons of God. There is a divine inherent value in each of us. Hold your head high...you are God's, even when you are broke, lost a job, carry a burden of guilt.

There is a story about a minister making this point. He took a $100 bill and asked folks what it is worth... $100. He crumpled and waded it up. What is it worth... $100. He spilled coffee on it and ground dirt into it. What is it worth... $100.

You see, there is an inherent worth unaffected by choices and behavior. God loves you... you are His daughter or son. God's love is with and within you.