If indeed one's value is measured by one's successes, there is a pressure to perform that hangs over every moment of every day that can easily steal the joy of living. In the midst of such debilitating pressure, Nouwen calls us to recognize that "we are worth more than the result of our efforts." (p.68) As the love of Christ permeates our hearts, we descend into a different world where service, compassion, and sacrifice are intentionally lived. In the hands of God, we recognize that "our worth is not the same as our usefulness." In the hands of God we are vessels to be filled and then used for the glory of God. So measure your worth not by what you believe you have accomplished, or what you might one day accomplish for the kingdom. Know that you are treasured by the Creator God and let that be enough.
JKA
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Great reminder, but a lesson more easily said than done. Days without solitude or what Jill Hotz called "TAG" time ("Time Alone with God") become too full, and our busy schedules can breed self-importance. Picture road rage by the Type-A personality whose meeting is more important than your destination. Our world economy measures everything at work, school, and sports, and it is easy to lose sight of our value as a servant and child of God, or our worth beyond our "usefulness". In God's economy, we can remove our masks, people pleasing tendencies, grades, to-do lists and resumes to prepare ourselves for this new way. ~ Pam
ReplyDeletePam,
ReplyDeleteAs with most things, it's not in the saying, but the doing. The opportunities are present in our moments...will we act???
JKA