We each are treasured by God. The Lord says, “…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…” (Isaiah 43:4, ESV). God loves you so much; most important to remember. At Christmas time, we celebrate how God so loved each of us, “…that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV). “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9, NIV). We are so valued by God, that He gave His only Son Jesus, to be our Saviour. A precious gift of salvation given to us in God’s mercy and grace, for people from generation to generation. We are not able to save ourselves, and need a Saviour. Mary, betrothed to Joseph, responded with “…let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV), when the angel spoke to her of giving birth to a son Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and “…called holy—the Son of God” (Luke 1:35, ESV). When visiting her relative Elizabeth, she gave a song of praise (Luke 1:46-55). Joseph was told that Mary would bear a son, and he was to“…call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21, ESV).
When we receive Jesus as our Saviour, we become children of God. God’s precious children. You are a beloved daughter of God. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12, ESV). You are royalty; adopted into God’s family. In Ephesians 1:4-5, Paul explains that even “…before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (NLT). God planned you, and chose you. He has a unique purpose for you that only you can fulfil.
Jesus was sent to earth for a specific purpose. Jesus fulfilled His purpose completely. You are reminded of your value by what Jesus endured through for you. You are worth so much that Jesus endured being crucified on the cross, enduring more than we can even imagine, before being resurrected. Our Saviour Jesus won the victory over sin and death, and is now alive! We celebrate with thankfulness, for “…by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, ESV). We do not have to be perfect, we cannot earn it. We are given the gift of salvation.
You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and you daughter of God are so valuable regardless of what you do or do not do, but know that God has a purpose for you that is so needed. There is no other person like you, nor will there ever be. God wants to speak with you, and direct you in His plans for you. You can experience the joy of fulfilling your unique purpose in having a kingdom of God impact, in this hurting world. I forget this sometimes, and things can seem so pointless. A reminder is much needed. We need to keep in balance appreciating the present moment, and thinking on desires for the future. We all need to have a vision for our lives, something to aim at. The writer of Ecclesiastes had much, and yet expressed how everything can seem so meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1), but concludes that “…all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV). We need to look to God for our purpose. Our Creator God lovingly created each of us with good things in mind for us to do. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT). You can enjoy your life, seek after God, build your relationship with Him and discover the good things God has planned for unique you to do.
I have been encouraged to pray to God to guide me in writing a vision for each year. I like to do this each year. I remember that where “…there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18, ESV). I trust God to guide me in what to aim for, and stay humble in it, surrendering to God to have His way. I like to focus on my relationship with God, getting to know Him more and more. And also for guidance in my relationships with others. On the ministries I am involved in, and other ministries God may want me to join. Whether I should study a course, and direction for my work. I also always need help in what I can do to be healthy, including my physical health. This is all in the day-to-day living. Our lives made up of days. We trust in God along the way, and hold onto His promises each day. Every day planned by God, David writes “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16, ESV). You are seen by God, and He has specially planned each of our days. God knows best for you. In humility, allow yourself to “…be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, ESV). We want to know God’s will for our daily lives.
In being humble before God, “…he will exalt you” (James 4:10, ESV). Let us each be like Mary and Joseph, and be obedient to what God has called us to do; living out our purpose. Trust in Him; “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6, NIV). Be comforted that you are not alone in figuring out which way to go. The prophet Isaiah encourages “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21, ESV). God guides us. We as children of God, have the Holy Spirit guiding us. We surrender to God’s good plans for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV). We seek after God.
We can ask Him to help us see ourselves the way He does, and guide us in His plans for us. We “…like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ“ (1 Peter 2:4-5, ESV). We are “…a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV). You are who God says you are. We each are precious to God, and it is essential for you to know how valuable you are to Him, just as you are without even doing anything at all. It does encourage my heart to know that that there is a purpose for my life, and know that your individual purpose is such a valuable part of shining for Jesus in this world that needs Him.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
Almighty, all-knowing God, there is none like You. You are always with me, thank-You for Your faithfulness. Thank-You for Your great love for me. You planned me before I was born. Thank-You for sending Your Son Jesus to save us, in Your mercy and grace. I am forgiven. I belong to You.
In Your Word I am encouraged that you have engraved me in the palms of Your hands (Isaiah 49:16); I am precious to You. Created by you unique, and deeply loved. Thank-You for Your Word, the Bible, and may I get to know You more as I spend time reflecting on it with You.
I put my trust in You God. I want to fulfil Your purpose for me. Thank-You for guiding me each day. Speaking through the writer of Psalms You say, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8, NIV). Thank-you God that You will establish my steps (Psalm 37:23), and Your purpose for me will prevail (Proverbs 19:21).
In Jesus name, Amen.