Pearl of Great Price
“My worth is not determined by the number of my sins nor their greatness but by the measure of His mercy, which is infinite.”
Photo by Dagmara Dombravska
Can I get a 100? Can I get a 200? Can I get a 250?
I hear my worth strung out in feeble statements, hanging by a thread. My worth seems unstable, dependent on things that are too subject to change —A person’s opinion. My performance. Even my virtue.
Can I get a 275? …280? …285?
I’m tired. I’m tired of running on the hamster wheel of exhaustion, trying to keep up with the lies rolling around in my head saying that my worth is built on anything outside of myself but God.
One failure can make my felt worth waver. One thought can pull everything into question. But I’m worth more than that.
I’m priceless.
My worth is not determined by the number of my sins nor their greatness but by the measure of His mercy, which is infinite.
That shouting voice, begging for my attention, claiming that my worth is nothing if I don’t live up to some outside standard, is a lie. And it all started with this lie: I don’t already have what I need to be good.
You’re not good enough.
What a ridiculous sentiment! To make me feel and think that I need to go get something that I already have! It’s an outrage and a tragedy…because it always leads to so much useless energy spent, inward turmoil, and worst of all, loss of my identity in my Father.
I already have the worth and goodness I’m seeking. And it does not need to be “proven” by some outside source for me to believe it. It does not have to be grasped through some performance I can measure. I already possess this worth because the One Who made me has placed it within me, and it cannot be taken away by anything. I am His pearl of great price. He has already spent everything to secure me as His. I don’t have to spend a dime to earn my worth.
Scripture for Reflection:
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” (Matt 13:45-46)
