Because you are worth it

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”  Philippians 1:27 NIV

I remember as a kid having Easter egg hunts.  This was back in the day when you hunted for real eggs that had been hard boiled and decorated.  We had some pretty big hunting expeditions.  One year I remember my dad let me go out and hide them before turning the rest of my siblings loose.  I got tired of finding places and literally dumped them in a big pile right in the middle of the yard.  It was one of the few times my dad literally looked disappointed in me as a human – absolutely no effort. 

We always dressed up and went to church.  The meaning of the day obviously did not fully hit me when I was young.  That changed over the years.  Now I think about it as more of a puzzle, even though I understand the events that occurred on the original Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  My question is simple, why did He do it this way?

I have come to understand that the simple truth is this: He thinks I am worth it, even when I don’t think I am.  I have struggled with judging myself most of my life.  A lot of people do. 

The right job, the right car, the right house, the right spouse, the right decisions on any topic, the right friends, the right reflection in the mirror, the right number when we step on the scale, the right reaction to literally any situation, our reaction to any situation, even the right way to serve Him, all can trip us up. 

I do not understand many of God’s plans.  However, He tells me over and over in the bible to trust Him, that He will not let go of my hand.  Ever held the hand of a young child in a crowd?  Your grip can slip.  You can lose touch with those little fingers quickly, but you are always checking to make sure you know where your child is.  Because in spite of our effort, sometimes we lose the grip on our loved ones. 

The mental picture of that for me would reveal God continuously looking out for me.  I would see Him a little out front clearing a path for me.  I can let go of His hand, but He will never let go of mine, ever.  I can feel lost but I am not, not to Him.  I can feel like I am failing, but I am not, not to Him.  I can feel like it all hope is lost, but it isn’t, not to Him. 

Everyone will struggle.  Everyone.  Be careful assuming that you are alone in your struggle.  You are not, not to Him.  What I did not realize when I was younger is that struggle in life can lead to victory.  Struggle in life can lead to better things if we do not quit.  Things that test our strength and our resolve lead to stronger strength and resolve. 

The most effective way to get stronger is to go through struggle.  We may never know why some things happen.  But I have come to understand that God is willing to completely change the path of someone’s life to prepare them to meet one person.  One.  I think that God is the ultimate recycler.  He wastes no person, no place, or no thing. The very struggle you have now may lead to victory for a person you may not meet until much later in life.    

You may be that one.  Because He thinks you are the one worth it. 

I may be that one.  Because He thinks I am worth it. 

Challenge:  He defeated death not by dying.  Anyone can die.  He beat death by living, by coming back from death.  Can you? 

Rick Claiborn