October 19, 2020
Stop Doubting Your Worth
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
"Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7).
Friend to Friend
It’s common for us to doubt our value and significance. Yet, in Psalm 144 David is struck by the mind-blowing reality that the God of all creation, the One who bids billions of stars to shine in the heavens and commands the powerful waves of the oceans to stop at waters’ edge, cares for wee-little humans like you and me.
The very thought of it leaves me breathing deep, shaking my head in wonder with the psalmist. “O Lord, what is a human that you care for him, a son of man that you would think of him?” (Psalm 144:3, CSB)
Jesus had a lot to say about this topic. When it comes to knowing the value God places on us, the way He cares for us, let’s turn to Jesus’s comments about sparrows. Do you know much about these little birds? They’re a dime a dozen. Highly common. Highly overlookable. The way many of us women might feel on any given day. Look at what Jesus had to say in reference to both ordinary little sparrows (and you):
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6–7)
For context, Luke 12:1 tells us that Jesus was addressing “a crowd of many thousands” when He spoke of the value God sees in each person. Many thousands. The rich. The poor. The average. The misfits. The bland. The spicy. The employed. The unemployed. The talented. The crippled. The lonely. The well. The sick. The married. The widowed. The single. The stressed-out. The curious. The masses! This wasn’t just a pep talk to encourage His besties! He was talking to the gamut of humanity. This is important because it makes those words He spoke that much more amazing.
Think about what He said! You know those sparrows that are sold in the marketplace for next to nothing? Those overpopulated little flyers? My Father doesn’t forget even one of them! He remembers them all.
You know what this means, don’t you? God remembers and sees you too.
You. Have. Value.
You are not forgotten by God.
God sees everything about you—even your screw-ups, failings, fears and doubts—and He finds value. I don’t love my children any more or less because of the way they dress or because of how well they can sing, throw a football, play chess, or pray publicly.
God doesn’t love you and me any more or less because of what we can or cannot do, or because of how good or bad we are either. He loves us because we are His. Made in His image. Fashioned by His heart.
Believe it. Even if your life wasn’t planned in the heart of your parents, it was planned in the heart of God. You are His, and He remembers you. By name. You, me, and the stars. He knows us all by name: “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names” (Ps. 147:4 ESV).
God cares for and knows all about you.
He knows how you like your coffee or tea. He knows your weaknesses and insecurities. He knows all of the things that make you unique, even if you’re an identical twin! He knows the things that make you tick, the quirky things, the things that cause you to beat yourself up, and the things that put a fire in your belly. And He knows how many hairs are on your head. Incredible!
And Jesus didn’t stop there. He looked those people eyeball to eyeball and told them, You ... and you ... and you ... and you ... and you ... and you ... are worth more than a whole mess of sparrows!
God really is that into you. Because you are His. Handcrafted with divine devotion.
I can’t help but notice that before Jesus told the people how valuable they were to God, He said, “Don’t be afraid” (Luke 12:7). Don’t be afraid? Why would Jesus say that? I wonder if it was because He knows that many of us are afraid that our lives don’t matter. We fear insignificance. We worry that our contributions are dumb, weak, and worthless.
I wonder if it was because Jesus sees beyond the prodigal to the potential, and He wants us to stop listening to those other voices and let Him—our Creator—tell us our value.
And I wonder if some of us might be afraid of God’s love. Afraid to be defined by His grace. Afraid to be refined by His holiness ... to be set free, because those old chains that bind and hinder are our normal.
Jesus made it clear: In God’s eyes, you are valued. You are loved, cherished, seen, and adored. Don't doubt it for a second.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for always remembering me and for loving me for who I am, where I am. Thank You for caring for me. Please help me accept this as truth when I doubt my value.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
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GWEN SMITH is an author, podcaster, speaker and worship leader. Her online friends meet at GwenSmith.net where she helps women know and trust God more. Her podcast, GRACEOLOGIE with Gwen Smith, has fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations with practical tips and honest discussions to encourage women in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the grace of Jesus in the midst of cluttered, messy days. Gwen speaks, leads worship, and eats potato chips at women’s events everywhere. Invite her to speak at your next event!
© 2020 by Gwen Smith. All rights reserved.