The perception of value

We live in a rapidly evolving society. We are surrounded by people telling us we should ‘be like this’, ‘act like this’, ‘achieve this’, ‘look like this’ etc. The list is ever-growing.

‘If only’, and ‘what if’s’ are constant companions of our minds. ‘If only I could just have this, then things will be better’…’What if I’d have done that differently, then everything would've worked out.’

Self-criticism is the constant companion of the mirror. Many of us don’t embrace what we see (let alone accept it!)

It’s a trap - it’s suffocating - it’s a lie.

It decreases our perception of our value, our self-worth.

I used to place my value on my achievement – don’t get me wrong, getting ‘good’ grades is great. But when it takes over – it’s self-destructive. I thought I had to be better. I thought I’d be accepted if I did better. I thought my value derived from what I achieved – it became draining – it took over.

Another big killer for me was (and still can be!) physical appearance. Many of us hate what we see. We can’t stand our reflection in the mirror. We place our value on how we look – and boy oh boy it can be demoralising, frustrating, stressful. How we look cannot and will never sustain us.

Why do we do this to ourselves? To each other?

I am now on the journey of looking to my creator for my worth.

• Our creator creates us as masterpieces. “For we are God’s masterpiece...” (Ephesians 2:10)
• We are a one-of-a-kind creation. “…He has created us anew in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10)
• We were created for a significant, unique purpose. “… so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10)

I take great comfort, peace, joy and freedom in soaking in God’s love – I don’t have to be anything but who he created me to be. You don’t have to be anything more than who you already are. EMBRACE who YOU are.

His love is present and he’s waiting to lavish his love on you.

We all have a deep soul hunger – we may try to fill the hole with earthly things – but the only satisfaction we will find for that is in the presence of God. Our value, our “wholesomeness” is found in him.

I love this quote from the book “becoming myself” by Stasi Eldredge ‘Our worth is not based on what we do, which life path we choose, or what we believe. Our worth is inherent in the fact that we are image bearers of the living God. Our worth is based on the fact that we are alive. We are human beings. Our worth is immeasurable.’

True freedom is flourishing in knowing and loving who you are.

I challenge you to journey into becoming yourself; see your immeasurable value and worth through the love of God.

I’ll keep you posted.

Where's Wally?

Yet again I have been inspired by books! This time: The Shack by William Paul Young and God is closer than you think by John Ortberg.

Where is God when I just want him to reveal himself to me so I will believe?

Where is God when I need him the most?

Why can’t I just see God?

They’re just some of the million dollar questions eyy!?

I want to start with HIDE AND SEEK.

And yes I am talking about that fantastic “child’s” (I don’t wish to offend you if you still like a cheeky game) game which we all know and love (debate-able yes).

Why do you think children play hide and seek?

What is so enjoyable for the “seeker”?

For me, what comes to mind is the joy of the seeker when he/she finds the hider. Such joyous wonder exists in finding something/someone which was once lost/hidden.

God’s choice to “hide” himself from us is an act of love. He wants us to want to seek him. He wants us to explore, discover and create. For any created being, autonomy is lunacy. Freedom involves trust and obedience inside a relationship of love. Freedom to discover for ourselves.

What about that split second of elation when we think we have found what we are looking for?  We live in a world that tells us if we own the latest electronics , if we wear the most fashionable clothes, if we are the most attractive we can be and achieve the best grades and qualifications then we will be SUSSED...we will “have it all”. I see these things as “split seconds of elation”.  However hard we try - they will never sustain us. “If only’s” will never sustain us.

So what are you seeking? And what is sustaining you?

Let’s now turn to WHERE’S WALLY.

Yes, that red and white striped, glasses and hat wearing man.

Developing the capacity to track him down is part of the point of the book. We have to look for Wally; he is hidden to the untrained eye. However when found, a sense of joy and accomplishment is achieved! (Can you see where I'm going with this!?)

If every page of Where’s Wally consisted of his giant face spread across the paper – would you buy the book? Would anyone buy the book? The difficulty of the task increases the power of discernment. He may not be absent but he is elusive. God is Wally. Yes I know that sounds nuts but hear me out - God is not absent – he is simply elusive, we have to seek him amongst the frenzy and busyness of life (amongst all the other things going on in the picture – in our picture).

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of Kings is to search things out (Proverbs 25:2 NLT)

"If Gold was as common as dirt, it would have the same value as dirt"

God wants to be known, but not in a way that overwhelms us and takes away the possibility of love freely chosen.

I'll keep you posted.