I’ve worked with lots of young people in what’s called a helping profession. My role has included providing an empathetic ear and helping many of these young people navigate life challenges. One of the common themes that I’ve heard from many was a struggle with self-confidence. Regardless of talent, physical appearance, accomplishments, or kindness from others, so many questioned their value and self-worth. Do you know Who never questions our value? GOD.
Have you ever thought about how our heavenly Father so thoughtfully and lovingly organized the world for us to live in? Consider the animal kingdom, for example. God provided for different species the food, water supply, and shelter they’d need to survive. And that’s just the detail that our heavenly Father has invested in taking care of animals. How do you think God thinks of us and our needs? God says in His Word that we have even more value than the animals, and He sees us as His children, as lights of the world, and as His masterpiece.
Matthew 10:29-31:
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
God’s care is so great that not even one sparrow—such an everyday, commonplace bird—can fall to the ground without Him noticing. However, the Greek word for “to be of more value” is diapherō, in some contexts meaning “to differ from one, that is to excel, surpass one.” That’s us. As immense as God’s care is for the sparrow, we far surpass the sparrow in our value to God. By exploring some other verses, we’ll see some of the reasons why God sees us as so valuable.
I John 3:2:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
The moment that we are born again, we become sons of God. He is proud to call us His own!
Philippians 2:15:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
God sees us as shining lights! God is the Source of light, and we have the ability to radiate His light into situations and others’ lives.
Ephesians 2:10:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We’re God’s workmanship—in other words, His masterpiece! We’re the work of the greatest Artist! What a label to have from God!
If we make mistakes, compare ourselves to others, or are just challenged by our own negative thought patterns, we can be tempted to condemn ourselves. But God has provided such clear reminders for us, in His Word and in the natural world that surrounds us, of our worth to Him. Even when we see the little sparrow fly by, we can be reminded of God’s love for us and why He values us so highly.
God says in His Word that we have even more value than the animals, and He sees us as His children, as lights of the world, and as His masterpiece. As we build our understanding and belief of how God sees us, then we will be able to align our own vision of ourselves with the elevated view God has of us. Our heavenly Father never questions our value—let’s not doubt either, but instead be confident that we are valuable because of what He has made us.