“Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”

And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8, ESV)

Matthew 8 tells the story of a Roman centurion with a big request for Jesus. The man’s beloved servant was extremely ill. Having heard about Jesus, he believed the Teacher could heal his servant. In the eyes of society, the centurion was “higher up” than Jesus. After all, he was part of the ruling forces stationed in Israel. Jesus was an itinerate teacher with numerous followers but also many detractors. Why should the centurion feel unworthy? But he did.

The Roman said to Jesus, “I am not worthy for you to come to my house, but You can just speak the words and my servant will be healed.” Jesus could have replied, “You’re right. You aren’t worthy of my attention. You’re not a Jew; you’re a Roman soldier.” Instead, the Lord declared that the man had “great faith” and healed his servant.

Thankfully, the Lord does not judge our worth by the same standards as the world. He sees value where others do not. Peter learned this lesson in Acts 10 when God sent him to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Worthy? Not in the sight of many.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality. but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, ESV)

Have you ever faced a situation where you felt you weren’t “good enough”? It may have been in a social setting, a special work assignment, or perhaps receiving an award you felt you did not deserve. You feel unworthy, even uncomfortable, yet there you are.

If you ever feel you are not worthy of the calling God has placed upon your life—that you aren’t good enough, smart enough, or talented enough—don’t believe it. Perhaps you think your past life disqualifies you. God doesn’t think so. He has redeemed you and placed you on a new path.

Luke 15 tells the familiar parable of the lost sheep. It was just one wayward lamb. Troublesome? Perhaps. The sheep’s first time to wander? Perhaps not. It may not have had the thickest wool, or been the smartest, or the prettiest. Yet the loving shepherd thought it valuable enough to leave the ninety-nine to go search for just that one. God feels that way about you. You are worth it. You count.

When doubts arise and you question your worth in the kingdom of God, remind yourself of these things that show God values you.

  • Genesis 1:26 — I am made in His image.
  • Ephesians 1:4 — He chose me.
  • Ephesians 1:5 — He adopted me.
  • Ephesians 2:10 — I am His workmanship.
  • Jeremiah 29:11 — He has a plan for my life.
  • Jeremiah 31:3 — He loves me with an everlasting love.
  • Ephesians 3:20 — His power works in me.
  • Matthew 6:26 — He sees my value.
  • Romans 5:8 — He thought I was worth dying for.

All of these statements are powerful, but the last one is the most moving. I have value because He thought I was worth dying for.

Lord, none of us are worthy of the great love You have shown to us, but You love us anyway. Thank You for thinking I was worth saving, worth dying for. I can never do enough to repay You for Your sacrifice, but all You really want is my heart. I give it to You freely. 

Author

Mary enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with old friends. Although directionally challenged, she would rather take the back roads with their discoveries than the boredom of the interstate.

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