Just dust?

12.03.20—Self-Worth!--Genesis 2:7

My friend, may I ask you a question? Why is it that sometimes we try so hard to make things happen in our lives that we forget that God is there, just for the asking?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I’m M. Clifford Brunner

"He’s well connected!" Did you ever hear that phrase used to describe someone who just seems to get all the breaks? Or, “It’s not who you are, but who you know!” This, of course, implies that somehow it doesn’t matter how talented or able you are; it’s really all about who you know that gets you noticed. Perhaps life is like that. Each of us is given a certain set of talents--options, so to speak. We ply them as best we can to “get ahead” in the world. For the most part it is a pretty level playing field except that some people get the breaks and some people don’t. Seems like a pretty cynical under- standing of life, doesn’t it?

Is this really true for a Christian? I mean, does God simply give us life, bless us with a certain amount of talent, plug in a few special gifts, and then “release” us into life without any real prospect for winning or losing except by the lucky breaks or connections we get? Is our worth somehow tied up in the “worth” of others? Or, is our worth connected to something far less fickle than luck or the people we know?

Here's a story: An American tourist in Paris, who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket shop, was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. This aroused his curiosity, so he had it appraised. After looking at the object under a magnifying glass, the jeweler said, “I’ll give you $25,000 for it.” Greatly surprised, the man decided to have another expert examine it. When he did, he was offered $10,000 more. “What do you see that’s so valuable about this old necklace?” asked the astonished man. “Look through this glass,” replied the jeweler. There, before his eyes, was an inscription: “From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine.” The worth of the necklace came from its identification with a famous person and not the amber or the metal. (Unknown.)

As Christians we have worth. But our worth has little or anything to do with what we are. The Bible tells us that God created us “from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7). And, when we die, we return to that same genesis--dust. So, if it were simply a matter of what we are--dust, we wouldn’t really have very much to brag about. Dust is about as worthless as anything I can think of. No, our worth indeed comes from being “well connected.” Like that necklace, of ourselves, we have only small worth. But, it’s the “connection” that gives us a whole lot of worth. The Bible tells us that God breathed into us the “breath of life.” We are, therefore, very well connected since God, the Creator of the Universe, has decided to be one with us. I guess in this instance it's really “who” we know, not what we know, that makes the difference!

We pray. Heavenly Father. If it were simply a matter of what we are--dust, we wouldn’t really have very much to brag about. Dust is about as worthless as anything we can think of. Our worth comes from being “well connected” to You O Lord. Like that necklace, of ourselves, we have only small worth. But, it’s the “connection” that gives us a whole lot of worth in Christ. Forgive us Lord when we look to our own selves for worthiness before Your throne. We have none. Since You breathed into us the “breath of life” however, we are, therefore, very well connected since You, the Creator of the Universe, has decided to be one with us. It's really “who” we know, not what we know, that makes the difference in obtaining eternal life! Thank You Lord for keeping us well-connected. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Just dust?

12.03.20—Self-Worth!--Genesis 2:7

My friend, may I ask you a question? Why is it that sometimes we try so hard to make things happen in our lives that we forget that God is there, just for the asking?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I’m M. Clifford Brunner

"He’s well connected!" Did you ever hear that phrase used to describe someone who just seems to get all the breaks? Or, “It’s not who you are, but who you know!” This, of course, implies that somehow it doesn’t matter how talented or able you are; it’s really all about who you know that gets you noticed. Perhaps life is like that. Each of us is given a certain set of talents--options, so to speak. We ply them as best we can to “get ahead” in the world. For the most part it is a pretty level playing field except that some people get the breaks and some people don’t. Seems like a pretty cynical under- standing of life, doesn’t it?

Is this really true for a Christian? I mean, does God simply give us life, bless us with a certain amount of talent, plug in a few special gifts, and then “release” us into life without any real prospect for winning or losing except by the lucky breaks or connections we get? Is our worth somehow tied up in the “worth” of others? Or, is our worth connected to something far less fickle than luck or the people we know?

Here's a story: An American tourist in Paris, who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket shop, was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. This aroused his curiosity, so he had it appraised. After looking at the object under a magnifying glass, the jeweler said, “I’ll give you $25,000 for it.” Greatly surprised, the man decided to have another expert examine it. When he did, he was offered $10,000 more. “What do you see that’s so valuable about this old necklace?” asked the astonished man. “Look through this glass,” replied the jeweler. There, before his eyes, was an inscription: “From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine.” The worth of the necklace came from its identification with a famous person and not the amber or the metal. (Unknown.)

As Christians we have worth. But our worth has little or anything to do with what we are. The Bible tells us that God created us “from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7). And, when we die, we return to that same genesis--dust. So, if it were simply a matter of what we are--dust, we wouldn’t really have very much to brag about. Dust is about as worthless as anything I can think of. No, our worth indeed comes from being “well connected.” Like that necklace, of ourselves, we have only small worth. But, it’s the “connection” that gives us a whole lot of worth. The Bible tells us that God breathed into us the “breath of life.” We are, therefore, very well connected since God, the Creator of the Universe, has decided to be one with us. I guess in this instance it's really “who” we know, not what we know, that makes the difference!

We pray. Heavenly Father. If it were simply a matter of what we are--dust, we wouldn’t really have very much to brag about. Dust is about as worthless as anything we can think of. Our worth comes from being “well connected” to You O Lord. Like that necklace, of ourselves, we have only small worth. But, it’s the “connection” that gives us a whole lot of worth in Christ. Forgive us Lord when we look to our own selves for worthiness before Your throne. We have none. Since You breathed into us the “breath of life” however, we are, therefore, very well connected since You, the Creator of the Universe, has decided to be one with us. It's really “who” we know, not what we know, that makes the difference in obtaining eternal life! Thank You Lord for keeping us well-connected. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.