One of the greatest lessons God has taught me in the last five years is that my value is not in my job, in where I work, in who I married, in how much money I make, in the places we go, in ____________. My value is found in God.
It’s a great lesson to learn, but how I had to learn it was not so great.
In 2011, I left my job working at a big church to help plant a church. I knew it was what God wanted me to do, but is was extremely challenging to me. For six to eight months, I found myself discouraged and a little bit depressed.
I discovered that all of my value was wrapped up in working at a big church. It made me feel like I was somebody important. It made me feel like I mattered. It made me feel like my future was bright!
When I left, the following questions went through my head:
- What if God never uses me in a “big” way again like He did when I was at the church?
- What if the gifts I was able to use at the church, won’t get used any more.
- What if I never do anything great for God?
All of the questions I was asking were rooted in fear. I had pity parties, I questioned my value, I questioned my gifting . . . I questioned everything.
In talking with a mentor about what I was going through, he said, “Doug, God is so much bigger than that church!” He was not saying that the Church wasn’t significant, but that God can do great things in my life outside of being on staff at the church! I didn’t believe it at first, but over time, that started sinking into my heart.
A few weeks later, I heard Bruce Bickel say, “If God’s called you to do something, He’s the only one that can take that away” and “Ministry is not a job. Ministry is who you are, where you are.”
Those statements helped me get through and process a very difficult season in my life.
Now, I don’t place all of my value in where I work, what I do, how much I make, who I’m married to, etc. Why? Because I place my value in the God that gave me all these things to begin with. God opened up a door for my to work where I work. God gave me my gifts. God gave me my wife. God is my source. God opens up doors for me that nobody else can open up or close! It’s all from Him and all for Him! I am just a steward of what He’s given me in this season of my life.
Getting to a place in your heart where all your value is found in God is extremely freeing.
Do I still find my value in the wrong places sometimes? Sure, but instead of having pity parties and worrying, I cast my care on God, I repent, and I get my heart back to a place of trust in Him.
Where are you finding your value?
- A relationship?
- Your job?
- Your title?
- Your salary?
- The size of your house?
- The places you get to go?
- Your kids?
Anytime we find our value and worth in anything other than God, we’re setting ourselves up for major disappointment and pain.
Evaluate your life. If you’re finding value in the wrong places, repent and turn to God. Trust me, you don’t want to learn this lesson the same way I did.
Thoughts? Comment below!
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