Expensive worthlessness.

In the last victim statement of Larry Nassar’s court hearing, Rachael Denhollander asked, ‘what is a little girl worth?’ It is a question that strikes deep in the hearts of all those who could have stopped all those years of sexual abuse of gymnasts and threatens to wreak havoc.

Maybe today I want to let havoc wreak. I want to run my fingers through to the depths of your heart, and ask, what are you worth? What is your worth?

Now there is tension in the room. Now everyone has a scale in their mind to weigh worth. Now you are trying to predict my answer to this question. You need not turn into self proclaimed prophets/esses, yes, I want to answer you or for those with answers maybe persuade you otherwise if need be.

I realize as I take on this excursion that much is at stake. Why? Because if we answer the question of worth, we answer the fundamental question of the human heart which is “why I’m I here?” We answer the purpose question.

I see so much hopelessness in the world, in young souls and my spirit is troubled. People do not know their worth. It is no wonder we go about life haphazardly, no wonder there is so much recklessness, suicide, pride and all unimaginable despicable lifestyle.

What is the worth of flesh, blood and bones, with emotions, desires and whatever else we’re made of? My answer is twofold.

Our worth? In and around ourselves we are nothing. And our creator gets it and thus His word says..

KJV Psalms 103
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Oh how fleeting our days, how pitiful our frame. And even our deemed good is filthy rags. If we first understand this, it would solve half of our problems. We would cease to have the Babel problem. The men that said, “let us go and make a name for ourselves.” All our attempt in this is futile and ridiculous. The specks of achievements we garner will be said of us at it was for them, that the monument to their pride was the memorial of their folly.

But as it is, worthlessness is expensive. It has cost God everything to redeem us. The very life of Him who is life. It made, for a season one who was infinite, finite. But thank God, that it was expensive and not impossible.

So what is the conclusion of the matter? That we are not an emblem of our success nor failure. Those are not what truly define us. Because if we look at self, we will be proud or discouraged. We are to keep the eye single to Christ. There, there is no vain pride nor needless despondency. In Him we will see both our worthlessness and our worth. In Him is a constant not dependent on anyone’s feelings or opinions.

The price of worthlessness is paid. Thus I want to make some suggestions. If we are to claim this redemption, we are to cease living as we were in our worthless state. If this is to be the good news, I want to also claim its refinement power.

Above any other system, education or lifestyle, I believe the gospel exults in its power to refine. I believe in its power to hewn every crooked edge, to smooth every course surface, to level every skewed line.

Our worthlessness is expensive, but the price is paid. Believe it, Live it, Share it.