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VALUE COMES FROM DESIRABILITY




The misunderstandings many people have about God have led to confusion about what it means to be a person of value. We assume that our ultimate value is derived from our contributions. When we contribute to a group or individual, we expect them to value us. While we may gain recognition from our peers, the value is usually placed on our work rather than on our person. The Oscar was awarded to Sally Fields for what she did, not for who she was. Our value is not determined by our actions, but by Who it is that desires us.

What makes a house increase in value? The simple fact that someone wants it. One of our IHOP leaders grew up in rural North Dakota, where you can buy a house for a fraction of what it would cost in a major city…same floor plan, same construc- tion materials, same amount of time to build it. So what is the difference? The location of a house in a major city makes it de- sirable for a greater number of people. Is the house better suit- ed for use? No, but it is more valuable because value is derived from desirability. By that simple standard, you have great value because you are desired by God. He enjoys you beyond measure.


 

The Gospel of Luke dedicates chapter 15 to stories about how much God values, is exhilarated by and enjoys human beings. As Jesus spoke to a crowd of Pharisees, He illustrated what religious people have struggled to understand for centu- ries—that God enjoys His people and will go to great lengths to pursue them. He searches for us like a woman searches for a lost coin, or a good shepherd seeks out one lost sheep. Jesus empha- sized how God rejoices when prodigals return to Him.

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them does not…go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoic- ing. (Luke 15:4-5)

Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not…search carefully un- til she finds it…saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!” Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

(Luke 15:8-10)

The passage ends with the story of a wealthy man who had two sons. One of the sons was the boy every parent hopes for. He was faithful, obedient and attentive to his father. The other son was what we commonly call a “problem child.” He was de- manding, insolent and rejected his family, insisting on an early inheritance and the freedom to roam. Eventually, the wild child found himself, like so many others in rebellion, at the end of his rope. He was knee-deep in the mire, a lost Jewish boy sharing a plate with a pig. Being of a people who would not eat pork, the message was clear—he had become what everyone in his culture despised.

God is gracious in that He often grants a moment of clear- headedness even in the midst of a season of sin. As the boy knelt for dinner at the pig trough, he had one of those moments. “My father’s servants have it better than this. I may not be able to


 

return as a son, but surely I can return as a slave.” In coming to a place of regret, he arrived at the same place many of us do. What he did next, however, is what separates those who find grace from those who do not. He turned his heart toward home. Rather than remain in his misery, he chose to take a risk and act upon his regret. A great what if arose in his spirit. What if I took a chance? What if I approached my Father…what might He do?

Most likely, he had a best-case scenario in his head that went something like this: Dad will allow me to live in the barn and work in the fields. It’ll be safe. It’ll never be comfortable, but it’ll be safe. There’ll be no pigs. That’s the same thing most people think when considering a return to God: I’ll escape the worst of Hell, but will never have the best from God’s heart. They couldn’t be more wrong.

If you’ve ever had a child get lost in a store, you know that you look everywhere for them. I’ve heard stories of parents whose children were abducted. For years they look in stores, on the street, on school buses, always hoping for the unlikely, always hoping their child will be returned. That’s precisely what this father was doing.

When [the prodigal] was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

Jesus told this story for one reason: He wanted to give us a picture of how much God enjoys us. He enjoys us so much that when we start taking those first shaky steps in His direction, or back in His direction, He runs out to meet us with overwhelm- ing affection. Many people approach God tentatively, aching for a connection with Him but secretly expecting a thrashing once they get close. They imagine that it is safer to run from Him than to Him. If we had even the slightest understanding of God’s heart for us we would do just the opposite. We would run fear- lessly with all our might back to His embrace, for He loves us, He likes us, even in our weakness, our sin and our rebellion.


 






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