We love to think much of ourselves and have others think much of us. All of us, at some time or another, will find ourselves seeking out ways to show others how “attractive” we are. This is human nature — our sin nature. We can fight the temptation to strive for man’s approval, but in our depravity we will always reach a point of failure.
Thankfully, I am greatly blessed to have been given several opportunities in my life to be cut off from outside eyes; when God has used sickness and health struggles to put me in a place where I am required to see myself as He sees me and not as how I present myself or how others tell me they see me; when I must look on my decisions, actions, and station and determine what value they really give me.
Who Am I Really? What Am I Worth?
There can be a sense of harsh reality when we are brought face to face with how the Creator God truly sees us. In this place of isolation we are forced to observe our true worth, not a worth based on our abilities or activities, but based on the status of our eternal souls, which transcends our earthly accomplishments.
Are we valuable because we are good communicators and organizers, because we actively encourage people, or are physically appealing? Do we have value because we are well liked and respected by others, act wisely with our finances, or are even diligent in our study of scripture and prayer? The answer to these questions is a telling testimony of who is Lord over a person’s soul. For many people in hospitals and sick beds all over our globe the items listed above are all they can hold on to for their sense of value.
For me, by the grace and mercy of God alone, I have assurance that finite human achievements are not what determine my “price.” I am valuable because God chose to save my soul and make me His daughter — not due to any attractive action of mine, but because of His sovereign grace. I have been chosen to bring Him glory.
Glorifying God Even When I Can’t Do Anything
As I lay alone in bed for hours and days at a time I can be at peace because I know my value. I can rest in the fact that Jesus Christ is all that can satisfy and fulfill me. I do not have to labor and toil to feel that I have a successful life. Better still, God has promised me that in my faithfulness and obedience to trust and rest in Him, He will be glorified (2 Thessalonians 1:12) — yet even our ability to be faithful is a gift from God.
There is a nameless believer, confined to a damp, cold, ill-supplied hospital on the other side of the world, who at this moment is being faithful to God. And though few on earth will ever hear his name or see his actions, God will still be glorified through this precious follower of Christ.
I praise the Lord God, who strengthens me, that I am valuable enough to bring glory to my heavenly father even when no one sees it. The world requires loud announcements and glamorous attraction for something to be honored and praised. Yet to honor, praise, and glorify God we must simply be humble, faithful, willing servants to our King in whatever circumstance we have been placed. That is truly a precious lesson to learn from time spent in bed.
About The Authoress: Evie is a 23-year-old rebelutionary and ministry assistant to Alex and Brett. She is short (5-1 to be exact), sends tons of emails daily (her current record is 184), and has an obsessive work ethic (she dropped into the office one week after having major surgery).
In her spare time she likes making pottery, crocheting, and hiking. Her heroes are Sarah Edwards, David from the Bible, and her mother. The last book she’s read is “Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God” by Noel Piper. She has four brothers and one sister (two of which were adopted from Africa) and has been to the emergency room more often than all of them combined.
That was a really wonderful post Evie… and a message that I really needed to hear today. Knowing that my security is in Christ, I can have the courage to do whatever I have to do, whether it is ‘glamorous’ or not. Thanks so much for the reminder.
yay you’re saying something! are you doing better?
Great post Evie.
I think Going through pain makes us realize the extent of what Christ did for us.
In Shadowlands (a movie about C.S. Lewis) Lewis speaks about suffering. He says “the hammering on the marble wears it away. In the end despite all the pain it comes out better then it went in.” (rough version of quote)
I have never been in a really terrible situation before, so I don’t want to seem like I know that for a fact, but I do believe it to be true.
I am glad you are feeling better. Praise God!
Eric Novak
I am still praying for you…It’s good to hear a little something directly from you…
Keep looking to the Cross.
In Prayers,
-Justin
Those are very important things to think about… :c) I’m still praying for you!
You just can’t be stopped… not even by surgery! You are certainly the human energizer bunny of this ministry… :c) and your work ethic is definitely to be admired.
hahaha, I too can relate to being short… I am 5’…
I can hardly wait for the Indianapolis conference!
~ Elisabeth J. Gruber
I’ve often thought about this same topic, and what you’ve just said laid it all out for me. Who are we, when our activities can’t/don’t define us? We are who God sees us.
Wonderful post. God Bless.
Thank you, Evie—praise the Lord for teaching you through this difficult time. I recently sent this quote to a friend in a situation not unlike your own…it relates to your post and I hope it will be an encouragement to you!
“Notice God’s unutterable waste of saints, according to the judgment of the world. God plants His saints in the most useless places. We say—God intends me to be here because I am so useful. Jesus never estimated His life along the line of the greatest use. God puts His saints where they will glorify Him, and we are no judges at all of where that is.” (Oswald Chambers)
“About the Authoress:…She has four brothers and one sister (two of which were adopted from Africa) and has been to the emergency room more often than all of them combined.” Sounds alot like my sister, Emily. Emily has also spent alot of time in the emergency room and then bed(although we almost had to tie her down sometimes). But the lesson I learned from Emily’s illnesses is that God’s timing and plans are perfect and reflect His character of complete faithfulness, even when His plans just don’t make sense to us.
Thanks for the post, Evie. It was a timely reminder that I don’t need to try to earn my value with God, as Christ has already earned it for me.
Thank you for that post, Evie. It really puts things in perspective. You’ll be in my prayers. God bless you!
Wow, Evie! You’re amazing! Thanks so much for sharing what you’ve learned. I’m praying for you!
That was a very…convicting post. It was very good. I hate to brag, but I am shorter! 🙂
(However, the school nurse told me I am 4′ 11.5″ and the nurse in the doctor’s office told me I am 4’11”, so I am having a bit of an identity crisis 😉 )
Thanks, Evie, for the awesome post! It came just at the right time for me because I’ve been thinking about that very topic lately. I needed to hear that.
Thank you SO MUCH for your wilingness to share the things God is teaching you, Evie!
I was thinking and praying about this topic just this morning, actually. And I “just happened to” check the Rebelution today…and God used your article to give me a fuller, clearer perspective of this important area.
By the way- how many times HAVE you been to the ER?
Thanks for the good post!
How much I need to be reminded of this, and with the smart of conviction, too! Thank you for challenging me with those thoughts, Evie!
I ran across 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 this morning and thought of you immediately (I read your post a few days ago and have meditated on it since).
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
It blessed me to witness your Godly response to illness – accepting His grace “most gladly” as Paul did – and your post beautifully evinced the work Christ is doing in your life. May He continue to be your treasure and delight!
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement throughout the last few weeks! God is so faithful to bless me with peace and joy, and He gives me those gifts, in part, through the support and love of my sisters and brothers in Christ. The passages of scripture you have given me have also been a precious gift.
It has been very special to “meet” you all through this post. Many of you have been asking how I am. Well, I am doing better. Still a bit weak and sore, but my strength is returning with time (I tend to take a while to heal). Julia, you asked how many times I have been to the ER. I have been an honored guest of the Emergency Room seven times, though most of my interaction with medical personnel is through doctor visits and occasional surgeries. I won’t go into all the details, but I have a rather extensive medical file, full of many things that are “wrong” with my health, yet even when I am weary I rejoice that God is sovereign and loving and fully in control!
Lord bless you all, and I pray that the words of Psalm 73:25-26 will echo in your hearts and minds:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
God is so good! It does always seem that God uses the difficulties in life to bring us closer to Himself…and to remind us of our utter dependence on Him and His grace.
So glad that you are doing better, Evie. And this sounds crazy, but I love that you are short. I am a seventeen year old who proudly stands at 4 foot 11 and a half:-)
Thank you for posting this…I really love the title of this post and the brutal honesty I see all throughout. It’s convicting and yes, I’ve thought about many of the things you’ve brought up. May the God who sees you valuable through His grace continue to bless you!
Great post, and what great lessons to learn in life-that the Lord must be our all in all!
🙂
evy
Thank you for the sweet reminder that God looks
at the inside, not the outside. God bless,
Mary Anna
What a spirit you have, Evie. I like that piece of soul you just disclosed in this here entry.
May God shape you into the woman he destined you to become. I too have struggled with debilitating illness throughout my life. For me at least, it kind of ate away at me every day. Being stuck in that rut isn’t always fun, and sometimes I felt a little useless or dead, really. But looking back, there was life and passion in that sick ol’ me. I fought it with everything I had, and that energy spilled over into my other passions. I don’t know you personally, but I see that sparky spark in you. It’ll shine from the inside out. So don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be a fruitful worker of Christ.
I’ve been thinking about value a lot lately. I think there are hints of wisdom in your writing that indicate an openness and humility that go deeper than any kind of comforting Christian rhetoric. Here’s to your resilience and determination. Here’s to the courage you’ve undoubtedly shown now and then. Here’s something to chew on:
“The notion that some lives matter less is at the root of all that is wrong in the world.” Some quote from a sermon I heard.