Am I Worthy?

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV).

 All of humanity's worth flows from God. He made us in His image and gave us authority and stewardship over all of the things that God has put into our spheres of influence. You are God's steward, given authority to take dominion and steward the creation that God has placed around you. You are created to steward yourself, your gifts, your talents, your family and your job, to name just a few things.  Notice that your worth is not dependent on how you steward. This is because your worth is dependent on God’s creative purpose. God decided to make you worth more than any other created thing because He decided to make you in His image.

David wrote Psalm eight from the perspective of how worthless he felt. “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,” Psalm 8:4-6 (ESV). Often, we can judge our worth by how small we feel in the universe or by how little influence we feel we have. We can look at our social status or at our bank account and feel like we’re not worth very much. What you need to remember is that your circumstances, your mistakes, and your achievements do not define your worth. As a human being, you have significant worth in the universe. You are created in God’s image, a little lower than powerful spiritual rulers. You are crowned with glory and honor. God created you with worth because you’re a human being, made to steward His creation. You carry innate authority, purpose and worth.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV). As a new creation in Christ, you have been remade in the image of God’s Son. As a believer, not only were you born in the image of God, you were reborn into the image of Jesus. Find your worth in this identity. You are a new person made to be like Jesus Christ. God loves you so much that “He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16b (NKJV). Your worth is woven into His love. God is the source of your worth and He thinks you’re worth dying for. So stop trying to find your worth in the acceptance and respect of others. Stop looking for your worth from your accomplishments or social status. Instead, find your worth in who your Heavenly Father says that you are: “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT).

Your worth comes from God and includes His calling on your life. He has made you in His Son’s image so that you can reflect the Son. Your identity and worth include a specific calling. You respond to this calling by becoming more Christlike. “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:1-2 (NLT).

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You have made me in your image and called me your child. You have cleansed me of all of my sin and nailed all of my worthlessness to the cross. Thank you for making me a new person in the image of Jesus. Help me to stop chasing after worth and to realize that I’m already worthy. Please give me the strength, health, and guidance to live my life worthy of Your calling. In Jesus’s name, amen.