Sometimes, especially when life is hard, I don’t feel good about myself. Then I start asking questions about why I’m here on earth. I wonder if I’m still on track. I sometimes also wonder if I’m good enough. 

It’s quite normal to wonder about your identity and what your purpose on earth is. Humans possess an inherent need for connection and significance. If these needs are not fulfilled, we soon find ourselves in a lonely desert. 

We must understand that our worth is not determined by what we have or what we’ve done. Even less is our value determined by the worldly possessions that we’ve accumulated over the years. 

Our value is determined by God. Because God called us, we have value. Because God chose us, we have significance. It is only because God is interested in us that we have some value at all. 

It is so sad to see the many people sleeping on the streets in our town. They have nowhere to go and every night they make beds for themselves out of cardboard and pray that they will stay dry. 

What value do these beggars have? I wonder how they feel about themselves? 

For years I was friends with a tramp from the Eastern Cape. He was an accountant, but after life had dealt him a few savage blows, he lost everything and ended up on the street. 

Deep down, he continued to struggle with his worth. People helped him get back on his feet. In the process, they helped him to feel valuable again. It is precisely this help by others, others who believed in him, who added value to him. 

We were just tramps too. We also didn’t have any real value either. We were all going nowhere. The big moment arrived the day God chose us. 

That day our status changed from tramp, from lost people with no value, to found, a child of God, and very valuable. We are because God chose us. It is God’s choice for us that makes us valuable. 

Now we must start living it. We must believe it and make it part of the way we live here on earth. We must take off the tramp’s playsuit and put on God’s playsuit. 

When we do this, we will live life very differently. The bum stumbles down the street, looking down. But when you’re dressed in the Almighty God’s playsuit, you lift your head. You walk upright and greet everyone with a smile because you know. This will help us to live right and not turn down wrong paths.  

10So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, His choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. 

Scripture
 2 Peter 1:1-11  

Reflection
Where do you find your value?
Do you live your value?
Does it always help you to make the right decisions? 

Prayer
Father, I praise You for choosing me who was just a tramp. I have value because You chose me. Please help me to show this worth by living it every day. Amen.