What is Worth?

In our society today we are surrounded by images and people that tell us what "worth" is; what makes us "worth" something to this world. I've been reading through Ephesians, which is my favorite New Testament book, and it has really made me consider my view of what "worth" really means. In the first few chapters Paul talks about what Christ did for us and then he begins to talk about the church and how we approach ministry. If you have never read it before you should Ephesians is an excellent read. The part that made me think today was 5:2-6 "2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Covetousness, coarse jesting, empty words; isn't that so what our society is. This is what made me ponder my measure of worth and then repent for my own heart. It is so easy to let ourselves believe that we need to be smart, rich, beautiful, or talented to be worth something. For many of us we have even doubted our worth to God and His Kingdom because of lacking these things. But God doesn't want us to measure ourselves in this way. I believe that Satan wants to deceive everyone, even the church, with these empty words and promises. You know "If you can get this promotion, you'll be happy", "If you just wear this, you'll be happy" "If you build a bigger, high tech sanctuary, you'll be happy" and so on. I know for me as a woman, Satan tries to tell me that I am not vital to God's work because I'm a woman. There are a million lies he tells and so many of us believe them. So what is worth something? ?According to the Bible our worth is found in our calling in the Kingdom of God and serving God wholeheartedly. All of us have a calling in God's Kingdom. Paul writes in 1:18 "18 the eyes of your understanding[a] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints," "HOPE" I love that word :) It's in that calling that we find hope for the future. No longer should we allow ourselves to be deceived by what society says we "need" to be or have but allow ourselves to let God dictate our futures and let God dictate the Church's future. It is to easy to allow ourselves to be held back by what we think life should look like or worrying about what others think our life should look like. I know from experience this only leads to misery and pain. We must submit ourselves to God as a "sacrifice to God" and let Him direct our steps. It is only when we live in that place that we can truly know our worth to God and to the world.

"1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;"
Ephesians 4:1-5