God’s grace, love and power – Day 7

Someone once told the story of how his uncle, years ago, always rewarded him for a good school report. For 60 percent, he received five rand; for 70 percent, ten rand; and for 80 percent, fifteen rand. He was lucky to always get 80 percent. But at one time, he did not achieve that. He thought, well, there goes my fifteen rand. But his uncle said: “I’m still giving you the fifteen rand because I want you to know that you are still worthy of it, without achieving 80 percent.”

This incident tells us how God feels about us. Whoever we are, no matter how we perform or do not perform – we will always be worthy in the eyes of God.

One hears of parents who react very negatively to their children’s bad reports: “You will get nowhere! Can’t you do anything right?” Unfortunately, similar negative statements are also exchanged between parents and couples. When people get bombarded with such negative comments, they will eventually think and accept that they are good for nothing. Recipients of such criticism experience it as rejection and this brings them pain.

Such experiences can stay with you throughout your life, and the result is that you believe things about yourself that are completely untrue – a belief that you have little worth.

Zacchaeus also thought he was of no worth. He hides in a tree behind the leaves. But Jesus shows that he needs Zacchaeus. You may not believe it either, but Jesus needs you.

You too have received gifts and talents – use it. It will do your sense of self-worth good. Someone said that if you do not use your gifts and talents, you would look like a miser who stacks his money away. In this way, you deprive yourself and others.