What gives me value?

This video pretty much sums up what I have been growing in and learning the last couple of weeks:



It wasn't until a conversation with this dear friend that I realized just what God wanted me to know.  I know that this is nothing new and perhaps I should have known and lived this far before this moment in my life.  But, God is gracious with me.

The question of my heart has been: What gives me value?

It is NOT my job status.
It is NOT my education level.
It is NOT what others think of me.
It is NOT how much good I do.
It is NOT how much I sacrifice.
It is NOT what I do or don't do.
It is NOT my relationship status.
Etc...

So, what gives me value?

I believe it is because I am a daughter of the King.
It is because He created and purposed me to love Him before time.
It is because He loves me.

It is as simple as that.  But, we run from this don't we?  We hide behind our titles and relationships.  We barricade our hearts.  How dare we be vulnerable and honest with others.  There is no way we could show others that we are weak.  What if they see that I don't have it all together?

For me, I think Christ is asking me to let go of these things.  To lay down what I think others think of me.  To lay down what society tells me my value is.  Because you see, I am valuable because I am His. Plain and simple.  He doesn't love me more or less, ever.  His love isn't based on what I do or don't do.

That is the kind of love that I want to receive and that is the kind of love that I want to give.

I want to love my neighbor not based on how well we get along, but because they are created and purposed by God.
I want to love my friends and family not based on what they do for me, but because they are created and purposed by God.
I want to love my (hopefully) future spouse not based on what he does or how he supports me, but because he is created and purposed by God.
I want to love my future children not based on what they do or how well they behave, but because they are created and purposed by God.

This is where freedom is.  When we know our value comes from Him and not anything that we do or don't do.  I am going to walk in this freedom.  Because when I trust Him fully, that is where freedom is to be found.