Your Value is Not in What You Do

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-30 NKJV

In a story titled "Olympic runner dropped by sponsor over low social media following" published on June 26, it was reported that Daniel Ellis Roberts, an American athlete who won silver in the men's 110 m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was dropped by his main sponsor due to a lack of social media appeal, although he has more than 23,000 followers on Instagram. Further illustrating the sad state that our world is in, Roberts said "These brands prioritize marketing above all else. Being at the top is influential, but if you're at the top and don't have many followers, you're not commercially profitable and your results won't have much value." Roberts ran 13.09 seconds to finish second behind Grant Holloway (12.99) in the Olympic final. Earlier that year, he broke the 13-second mark for the first time with a 12.96-second performance in Eugene. Despite these achievements, Roberts said his contract with a major sportswear sponsor was not renewed. "I know this because after my best year, winning an Olympic silver medal and breaking the 13-second mark for the first time, my sponsor dropped me, and I've had to live off prize money for the past six months. It's a shame, but with the way athletics is going, athletes have to focus on more than just competing well." 

And, you know, as disheartening as it is to think about, we live in a world where the majority of people believe their value comes from what they do and how many "followers" they have. But the truth of the matter is this... we are all made in the image of God and we are of "more value than many sparrows." Think about it this way, there are an estimated 1.6 billion house sparrows  in our world at any given time. And yet not one (did you get that not even one part?) falls to the ground apart from the Father's will. This is the value God places on his children!! And there are more than 8 billion people on this earth and yet God knows the very number of hairs on each one of their heads! This is the great love that the Father has for you and for me.  This means that no matter what value the world has placed on you, you are of infinite value to God. 

So, if you're feeling as if you don't matter today, look up my friend—and remember that God not only sent his one and only Son to die so you could be reconciled back to Him, but calls you "His workmanship" and has prepared you in advance to do good things that He planned for you long ago as well. Is that amazing or what? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that, as believers in Jesus Christ, our identity is not in what we do but in who we are... children of God, fearfully and wonderfully made in your image and loved beyond comprehension. Help us to not only understand this Lord that we would find our worth and value in You but to spread this message to a world in desperate need of hearing it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!