I read an interesting statement today. “Being wanted feeds the ego, being valued feeds the soul.” Knowing the person who wrote that, as I do, I think he was comparing physical attraction with love. Certainly, my wife and I were physically attracted to each other, but it was the way we valued each other with love that got us through fifty years together.
I also think it goes far deeper than that for Christians. God not only loves us and wants us to be His children; He shows the high value He places on us by sending His true Son to die in our place so we can have direct contact with Him; walking and talking with us as He did with Adam in the Garden. This poem by Myra Brooks Welch illustrates the different ways that humans and God value someone and the way God has adds value to our lives.
Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer thought it hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile,
“What am I bid good folks?” he cried. “Who’ll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, who’ll make it two? Two dollars and who’ll make it three?
Three dollars once. Three dollars twice. Going for three -’ but no.
From the room far back a gray haired man came forward and picked up the bow.
Wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening the loose strings
He played a melody pure and sweet as a caroling angel sings.
When the music ceased, the auctioneer in a voice that was quiet and low
Said, “What am I bid for this old violin?” and he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars and who’ll make it two? Two thousand and who’ll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice, going and gone” said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried, “We don’t understand
What changed its worth?” Quick came the reply, “The touch of the master’s hand.”
Many a man with life out of tune, battered and scarred by sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin.
A mess of potage, a glass of wine, a game and he travels on.
He’s going once. He’s going twice. He’s going and almost gone.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd never can quite understand
The worth of a soul or the change that is wrought by the touch of the Master’s hand.
Do you feel valued by God and by those closest to you? More importantly, do you value them with your words and your actions?