For some, our value is often based on what we can provide. If we are seen as valuable, we have likely done something or will do something in the near future. When God looks at us, he does not see our value the same way. God sees us as valuable from the day we are conceived in our mother’s womb. From that moment he is fully invested in us, our life and our soul. It is an amazing feeling to know God is devoted to us and is going to keep track of our maturation.
Matthew 18:10-11 (ESV): “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
We can take for granted the impact we have on those around us. There are kids who need encouragement and a little accountability to succeed, but we don’t give it to them. There are others who need to know they are appreciated and missed so they can attend church more often, but we didn’t notice they were absent. We are all partially influenced by our environment, so we must be mindful of the environment we are creating.
Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV): What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
We tend to make the mistake of weighing a person’s value by some personal measurement. We may weigh their attendance or participation at church, their grades in school, or their overall attitude when we interact with them. God sees each of us as valuable, independent of whether we deserve it or not. He is willing to go beyond expectation and do whatever it takes to save us. If that means leaving the other ninety-nine sheep for a moment, He is willing to take that risk. Are we willing to be as indiscriminate in who we are willing to extend ourselves for? Of all the ways we can show someone we love them, putting our ninety-nine at risk for one is one of the best. Jesus left His glory in heaven and came to earth to be born in the flesh. He left all He knew to save us and we recognize His love for us is limitless as a result. Are we willing to love and care about others to the point we leave our comfort zone to save them? Could the limits we put on love be a hindrance to some from joining the body of Christ? Let us live in a Christ-like manner where we be can be certain our love is an encouragement to all.
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