The definition for the word “value” in the Oxford dictionary is…
“the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.”
How important is it to feel valued? We live in a world with extremes. We have a part of society that can puff us up, and then we have another side that tears us down and gives us terrible insecurity. Both of these extremes can cause so much damage to ourselves and those around us. When we are puffed up and gain self-righteous confidence, it leaves no room for humility and gratitude. When we are insecure and feel worthless, it leaves no room for growth or the ability to accept love from ourselves or others. The important part we have to understand is that we can’t live in either of those extremes, and neither of those is the way God views us or expects us to view ourselves. When we see ourselves the way God sees us, it shouldn’t cause us to be puffed up or cause us to feel insecure, either. Instead, seeing ourselves the way God sees us should cause us to realize our value.
We are valuable in the eyes of God.
This simple fact is where I want to begin as we start this conversation about evangelism. The very fact that YOU are valuable to God will, in turn, help you realize that every soul around you is valuable to God.
As we read Genesis 1:26-31, we learn quite a few things about our creation that make us special.
- We were God’s final creation.
- God says, “Let us make” rather than “Let there be”.
- “In Our Image”/“According to Our Likeness” is repeated 4x in just four verses, emphasizing something unique to mankind compared to the rest of creation.
- God created us with responsibility from the very beginning, instructing us to “rule over” the things of this world.
- In the final verse of the chapter, it states that “God saw all that He had made, and behold, ‘It was very good.’”
Each of these things we read about in the last verses of Genesis chapter 1 shows us the significance of our very being. The repetitive statements and unique language used in the creation of man should help us see the value in human life. If we recognize the value of human life and how significant we are in the eyes of God, I believe it will help us to see the value of those around us. Our viewpoint of God is unlike any other viewpoint we could have in this world. It is without flaw or failure. It should cause us to look around and want everyone to know the Creator and to learn that they were created for a purpose. Without a doubt, every person on this planet is searching for something. People are searching for a purpose and to feel valued. This is where our evangelism can begin. We can look at others, see their importance, worth, and usefulness to God, and help them see it too.
We interact with so many people daily — our spouse, family, friends, coworkers, and strangers in the grocery store. These people are each unique, and it can feel impossible to know how to reach all of them. However, there is one fact about every one of these people that will never change: they are valuable to God.
Although this article alone will not answer all the questions regarding evangelism methods or tips on reaching the lost, I believe that realizing the value of God’s creation must come first. We have to be motivated before we take action. We have to see ourselves and those around us from God’s viewpoint.
Psalm 8:3-9 gives us a peek into the heart of David as he describes what it feels like to know how valuable you are to God.
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
As we look out at the beauty of God’s creation, we see His majesty, and He looks at us individually and cares for us. The words “mindful” and “care” for us give us the idea that He remembers us and sees us. God is not distant or forgetful; He is intimate and personal with us. All that we are and ever will be, God sees us. Through this passage, I am reminded of the creation of man again when it says, “You have made him a little lower than God,” a reference to “made in the image of God!”. What a special, unique blessing it is to be made in the image of our Creator and to be “crowned” with glory and majesty. The original language shows that He has surrounded us with glory and honor. God’s glory and honor completely cover us as we are made in the image of Him. That should help us see the value and worth we have. I am also reminded of the creation account when the Psalm says,
“You make him rule over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under his feet,.”
God has given us and entrusted us with ruling over His creation. When someone sees value in you, they will trust you with a task. And finally, in verse 9, I love how this Psalm ends…as David recognizes his worth and value throughout this Psalm. You can read how he is almost in disbelief that His Creator could love him so much. But he also ends the Psalm by saying.
“O Lord, how majestic is YOUR name! He recognizes his value to God without elevating himself in the process. He praises God and continues to give God the glory.”
That is such an important piece to this conversation. We have a Creator who LOVES us and sees the value in every one of us, but we should use that to His glory. It should cause us to have great humility and praise God.
Evangelism begins with seeing souls. When we look around our fallen world and see people hurting, full of doubt, insecurities, or false hope, we must remember that God values them. No matter how far someone has gone or what they have done to seem undeserving of the Gospel, we have to be the people who see others the way God sees them. We have a message for those people, but to share it with them, we must love them enough.
I’m so thankful that you are reading this today, and I hope these thoughts and passages in Scripture can help you see your value and the value in others. I can’t wait to continue these conversations regarding evangelism as this series continues.
With love,
Katy
Katy Ballance
Katy Ballance is a stay-at-home mom to two little girls, Lucy James and Emily Kate. She and her husband Kolton live in Denver, Colorado, where he serves as the Director of Alumni Relations at the Bear Valley Bible Institute and a minister at the Conifer church of Christ. She earned her Bachelor of Biblical Studies from the Bear Valley Bible Institute in 2021 and her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from East Central University in 2018. Katy loves coffee dates with her husband, photography, and everything about being a mama.
