Have you ever wondered if God likes you as much as he likes Billy Graham or Francis Chan or Loren Cunningham? Those men or women to whom he’s given great responsibilities? In Galatians 2:6, Paul notes how the leaders at Jerusalem added nothing to his preaching, ending with: (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) NLT
Really? He doesn’t like Joyce Meyer better than me? He doesn’t appreciate Mary DeMuth’s contribution more than mine? He doesn’t like the pastor’s ministry more than the nursery worker’s?
Am I the only one, who in some primitive part of myself, thinks others with more public ministries get more of God’s attention? Sure, I know that’s not true…theoretically, intellectually, cognitively…however you want to specify the adult part of me. God is not partial. He loves everyone the same. The most ordinary are as valuable as the most extraordinary.
I long for Paul’s extraordinary confidence in his specific calling to preach the good news to the Gentiles. Sure of his appointment, Paul wasted no time comparing himself to anyone else, nor was he intimidated by anyone else’s work. He knew God valued him and had called him individually.
I want to be that sure of the call of God on my life. And that clear that I am as important as anyone else. I know that, in my head. I’d like to feel it, all the time, in my heart. That I still wrestle with value, at almost sixty years old, says so much about the impact of childhood emotional neglect…of not being valued.
Maybe one or two of you understand. Pray with me: Lord Jesus, make it emotionally real to us that we are immensely valuable to you. Refresh our hearts with your love and power. We want to be done with any sliver of self-rejection and full of confidence in your work in our hearts. For your glory, Amen.