Nougat 18

Howdy

Self worth is an awesome thing. And in these times when folks are wont to reclassify us according to any ole standard, it is easy to lose sight of who and whose we are. We explored both identity and umbrage recently, and today’s Holy Nougatspeaks to renown.

“The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. Anah is the man who found the hot springs in the desert while he was caring for his father’s donkeys.” Genesis‬ ‭36:24‬ ‭NCV‬‬.

While we don’t know what Anah thought about himself, we recognize that Anah was renowned for discovering hot springs in the desert. Today, with that kind of knowledge, he might have become a billionaire! And maybe he was. For he didn’t keep the discovery to himself. His discovery made an impact on the wider community.

Should our community’s chronicles be recorded; how would we be featured? Is it possible that we would be presented positively? What comments would we expect to see or hear? How would this affect our self esteem? And if we were writing the history, are there details about ourselves which would be written differently?

For we actually are writing our stories in the chronicles of creation. And how we perceive ourselves impacts the what and how the narrative unfolds. A recurrent theme embedded in all our stories would definitely be God’s love for us. With an everlasting love. Whether we deserve it or not. Whether we acknowledged it or not. Whether we love God in return or not. Whether others seem to love us or not. Whether we are renowned for something great or not. Whether we think we matter or not. Whether the world knows we exist or not. Whether we have undergone tribulations or not. Whether we love ourselves or not. That fact remains –

God loves you and me.

And that should count for a lot.

God’s love adds a permanent kind of significance that should add a bounce to our steps. So what do we plan to do differently? How differently do we live? Do we remember that fact when our world is tipsy turvy and we feel like we are less than?

Self esteem comes from within, although it’s influenced by our perception of what we are worth to others. May Jesus’ love for us be more impactful on our esteem than what we are renowned for doing or being.

Thanks for joining me today.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .