What’s My Life Worth?
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Matthew 10:29-3, 38-39
29. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 38. and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
What is your life worth? I’m pondering that question myself this morning as I’m having an “insurance physical” this morning for a life insurance policy. Really, what is my life worth? There’s an actuarial table that will give you the dollars and cents response, based on my lifestyle, my health, etc., etc. And there are formulas to calculate how much it will cost to pay off the house, and any other outstanding debt, to bury me, to pay for any other life expenses that may come along -- oh . . . and replacing my income. Those are all practical things to think about. But none of those formulas give me the answer I’m looking for. What is the value of my life?
What is my worth? As a Christian, I know that answer. My belief in a loving God reassures me that I am of tremendous worth to him. I am more precious to him than anything else on this earth -- or in all of creation, just because of who I am. I consider myself a generous person. I would give away everything I have were it not for my more level-headed, practical husband always in the back of my mind. When it comes right down to it, I appreciate my house -- it’s really starting to feel like home. And I so enjoy bringing the various flower beds back to life, and I’ll eventually finish painting the top half of the wall in the dining room! Left to my own resources, though, a room with a bed (comfortable please!), a shower with an adequate supply of hot water and a coffeemaker and ready source of coffee -- I’m good.
Again. What is my life worth? How have I spent it? How will I spend it in the future? Am I the person I had hoped to be? Am I living as if I believe my intrinsic value is based upon whose I am and not who I am? Am I spending my time creating and revealing and striving for a world that is free of hate and hunger, prejudice and fear, war and hopelessness? Am I using my talents, abilities, spiritual gifts and graces in ways that bring about God’s kingdom on this earth? Do I seek God’s direction and guidance before I undertake a new task or start a new venture? I think you know the answer to all those questions! I would like to. I would hope so. But not always, honestly probably not even most of the time.
So. What’s the answer? The worth is in the effort; the trying; the striving. The value is in heading out into the world, armed with faith and trusting that God will lead us where he desires us to be. When we do that, our worth to the world approaches our worth to God in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ life was, in the end, nothing - and everything. The sacrifice of his life gave us eternal life. Our sacrifice of service and sharing of love makes our lives important, meaningful -- valuable, of inestimable worth. We are God’s beloved, chosen, created out his desire for companionship and relationship. He made us above all other living things, closest to him of all. We are in his image and likeness. There is a familiarity and a comfort in relationship between those so alike.
He placed within each of us a tiny speck of himself. And he knows everything about us. I cannot image more intrinsic value than to be a part of God. And to be so well-known and understood by him. So my life is important. It matters. And God cares how I spend it; what I do with it; who I help and who I tend to. He wants me to be him for the world and he sent Jesus to show us how. It is utterly impossible to express the value and worth of a life created and formed in the image and likeness of one so wonderful! Our task is to make the attempt.
I hope today you take stock of the measure of your life. And that you choose to spend it on those things that really matter to God.
Mary
