Valuable to Whom?

I have been really challenged, and saddened by the above verse, because the wording is so strong, and yet most of us have areas in our lives where our view of what is truly valuable has been distorted.

It’s not enough that we merely recognise our need for Father God to fill our ‘love tank’ or ‘inner emptiness’. It’s not enough to say to God “Here I am, use me Lord”. No, there needs to be a dying to self – a despising of that which the world so often sees as valuable in us.

True peace and joy can only come when we recognise those things the world values so much are, in fact, despicable to God. WHY? Because they lead to pride; pride of life, and pride in self, which leads to independence from Father. We need to depend totally on the Father, and to recognise Him as our source, and our provision.

He said about Himself “I am”. We, on the other hand, “are not”. The sooner we come to that realisation, the sooner the Father can raise us up in His strength, and His glory.

Just as Jesus humbled Himself and became nothing, in order to win everything for us, we need to follow the Masters’ lead. We need to empty ourselves. In the words of John the Baptist: ‘He must become greater, I must become less’ (John 3:30).

Prayer: Lord, I come to You today, and I recognise in myself that which is detestable in Your sight, the pride I take in my own achievements, abilities and even the giftings You’ve given me. I’m sorry Father. I recognise You as my source today, and I repent of all self-sufficiency, and all self-accomplishment. Lord Jesus, would You become more in my life as I become less. I choose to give back to You that which I’ve regarded as mine, and I ask that today You would use me as You choose, equip me with that which I need in my world, that I may bring glory to Your Name, not my own. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.