Finding Our Worth in Jesus

Finding Our Worth in Jesus

By Julie Taylor

We are all in various places on our faith journeys with Christ. Diverse backgrounds, hometowns, habits, skills, education levels, fears, and goals make us as unique as fingerprints to one another. We have just enough in common to become easily tempted to compare ourselves to one another, yet we are different enough to become miserable and confused in doing so.

Validation from other people can provide a sense of belonging and affirmation, like a mirror reflecting back that we matter. It’s human nature to want to feel seen, valued, and understood, but constantly seeking it externally can become exhausting and unfulfilling.

We appear wired to seek validation from what we can see and touch. Society bombards us with messages that our value is determined by our achievements, looks, wealth, credentials, power, or status. It’s an easy trap because it provides immediate feedback—likes on a post, a promotion at work. But these things are fleeting and often leave us wanting more. We might get instant gratification from these tangible metrics, but they don’t truly satisfy. It’s the deeper, spiritual fulfillment that lasts.

When asking the average person how they measure success, we might hear wealth, social or economic status, or the amount of philanthropic donations made. Any achievement takes work, and the pride we develop from a job well done feels justified after the effort and diligence put into a goal. Success takes a great deal of work and discipline, so it’s only human nature to feel a sense of autonomy in what we can accomplish when we set our minds to a specific goal. It can be easy to feel validated by our accomplishments, achievements, or awards. We are proud of ourselves when we accomplish something we have set out to achieve or master, and many would find nothing wrong with this.

When we identify ourselves by our external environment, what happens when that environment changes?

We may rationalize, validate, or even believe that our accomplishments and achievements inspire others to work hard and set lofty goals for themselves. If we’re proud solely of what we've accomplished on our own, we’re seeking in vain and only inspiring the same. If we’re proud of what we have because we know that it all comes from God, then we’re not really proud—we’re grateful, and there is a significant difference.

Consider:
Ecclesiastes 2:26 (ESV)
“26 For to the one who pleases him, God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner, he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

Solomon’s wisdom here highlights the futility of worldly achievements devoid of divine favor. True satisfaction comes from aligning with God’s purpose, not from our efforts alone.

It is a reminder to focus on spiritual fulfillment over earthly achievements. The challenge is to shift our focus to what is eternal and unchanging. Instead of seeking validation through our efforts, or inspiring the same in others, let us inspire through faith and good works, modeling our Savior, Christ. Righteous inspiration is in the grace with which someone manages a demanding situation, not in attitude, avoidance, anger, deception, blame, or short-term fixes. Righteous inspiration is giving more as a result of having more, not flaunting, hoarding, or spending selfishly. Righteous inspiration is found in placing others above self, not in the rushed frenzy to produce more, compete for placement, or elevate self-interests. Righteous inspiration is the way someone remains faithful to God through repeated adversity, not in seeking quick fixes, blaming others, or indulging in escapism. Righteous inspiration is the strength required to be vulnerable while maintaining righteous self-control, not masking with pride, aggression, or distraction.

Finding that validation within, through faith and self-acceptance, can be a game changer.

We are so used to earning and proving our worth through actions and achievements. The idea that our value in Jesus is freely given and not earned can be unsettling. It challenges our deeply ingrained notions of merit and control. It involves embracing a life of service, giving, humility, modesty, sacrifice, and obedience to the Lord. Loving Jesus provides us with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which makes us want to be better people by example.

Finding our worth in Jesus reminds us that our value isn’t based on worldly achievements, efforts, or perceptions. It’s grounded in His unwavering love and the identity we have as children of God.

John 1:12-13 (ESV)
“12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”