Value

There is so much negativity in the world in general. With immediate media access to everything and how scrutinized every word that is said seems to be, we have lost something special - Value!

Every man, woman and child on this planet deserves to be respected and valued despite their considerable flaws. As Jesus so eloquently said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Whether we are eminently spiritual or a struggling drug addict we all have value because we were created in God's image and all given the option of redemption through a relationship with Christ.

We can't be so hyper-critical and judgmental that we discount one another for our mistakes. One has to only look at the blatantly critical political ads going on at this moment. Instead of boasting of the great deeds a candidate has accomplished, they are blasting the other for many of the same things you and I have done that fortunately don't go public. Negative destruction of character and devaluing another human being.

Not just in politics, it's everywhere. In the Book of Proverbs there are many words that would apply to treating each other with value, but I like this verse: The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Having walked down that crooked path before in my life, I understand that walking confidently with the Lord makes you a more positive, encouraging and valuing human being. Without that we tend to build our own self esteem on the backs of the others we walk over to make ourselves feel better.

In the end, as that Proverb says, taking that crooked path, de-valuing and cheating others will eventually lead to destruction. On the other hand, if we value others as Jesus did while he walked this earth, we will be building foundations of growth in the human race while being secure in our integrity.

Now that is a valuable commodity!