‍Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37-38 NIV

“She’s better than you. You don’t deserve to be her friend. She was a Baylor Beauty and you, well you’re a Riceville Reject.” These are the thoughts that ran through my mind as I thought about making a call to a friend.

Thankfully, I immediately recognized them as lies from the enemy and proceeded with my plans. After enjoying a conversation with my friend, my mind returned to the thoughts that mirror ones I’ve struggled with all my life. Thoughts that say, “I’m not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, you fill in the blank…“ Ones that basically say, “I’m not worthy.”

Perhaps you’ve struggled with this as well? Maybe comparison, sin, shame, other’s words and actions, looks, or failure have kept you from thinking you don’t measure up or that you’re not good enough. If so, will you join me as we look at what makes us unworthy?

Friend, the world will give us countless answers, but the Bible will give us Truth. We could spend days looking at Scripture about our identity in Christ, but today let’s focus on two verses from Jesus.

In our key verse, we read two very important lines from our Savior and I pray we will meditate on them in the days to come. For years I’ve let others, satan and even myself label me as unworthy, but it was never for the right reason.

Jesus doesn’t count us out based on worldly standards. Friends, He measures our worth by our love for Him and obedience to Him. Did you get that? He won’t disqualify us because we carry extra pounds, have crooked teeth or failed to earn academic honors. The world looks at the outer appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Society pushes us to perform, but Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

Friend, I don’t know who or what has led you to feel unworthy, but my prayer is today you will focus on being worthy in God’s eyes! Remember it has nothing to do with appearance or accolades but everything to do with love and obedience! Don’t forget, people or performance will never determine your worth. God is the One who created you with value and Jesus is the One who decides if you are worthy.

Today, I encourage you to spend time with God and your Bible… ask Him to help you understand your W-O-R-T-H. Use these verses to get you started:

W - Who is worthy (Revelation 4:11, 5:12)

O - Our connection to Him (Genesis 1:27)

R - Redemption’s Price Tag (1 Peter 1:17-20, 1 Corinthians 7:23, Acts 20:28)

T - The One in me (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14)

H - How our worth is measured (Matthew 10:37-38)

Heavenly Father, Lord, I come to You now and approach Your throne with confidence. I ask for knowledge of Your will, spiritual understanding and wisdom. I ask this so that I may live a life worthy of You and please You in every way. I long for You to help me understand who I am and pray that You’d help me see myself the way You do. Keep me from looking to others, actions or accolades to find my worth, but help me love and obey You so that I am found worthy in Your eyes. Lord, You are worthy and I give You all the praise, glory and honor. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.