I don’t know about you, but I often get discouraged by numbers. Not only do I get discouraged by them, I tend to let them define me.
Here are some of the numbers I’ve let dominate my thoughts (in both pride-filled and shame-ridden ways) over the past few years, see if you can relate…
The numbers on:
The scale
The inside back label of my pants
The area code/zip code from where I live or came
The number of children I’ve had or not had (when struggling with infertility, as well as, in the homeschool world)
My savings account balance
My checking account balance
My salary/pay for a job
My husband’s salary/pay for a job
My age
My boys’ ages
The amount of time I allow my boys or self to __________
The number of “likes” something I’ve posted on FB receives
The number of subscribers to this blog
The number of followers/friends I have in real life or on social media
The list goes on and on…
I’ve often let my value or lack of value be derived by those numbers (numbers which go up and down daily). That’s some shaky ground to be basing value upon!
Lately, as I’ve mistakingly given and taken away my worth based upon some of these things, I’ve sensed God whispering to me, “The numbers don’t matter.”
I’ve pondered this quite a bit over the recent weeks and have decided that there’s only one number that really matters. Only one number to base my worth upon…
While the other numbers in life rise and fall without much given warning, one number remains constant.
I (and you) have been made 4 a purpose.
Created 4 God’s Glory.
Bought 4 a price… Paid 4 by Christ’s perfect blood.
Ransomed 4 a relationship with the One and Only Living God.
4given as we confess our sins and put our faith in Christ Jesus.
Gifted 4 Kingdom work.
Prayerfully, living 4 Him.
With that said, I pray that we who struggle with finding our value in numbers would take our thoughts captive, give our numbers to God and begin to look solely to Him 4 our worth. He provides the only constant number upon which to build our worth’s foundation.
Something to think about.
Linking up with:
If you’re just tuning in, our thought-provoking link up has moved locations. It’s now being hosted by my sweet friend, Michelle, at intentional.me. Read why here.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Great words of encouragement, Michelle. I battle with the numbers game at times too.
I love what you did with one number in particular, though! Wow, who would have thought that the number four could apply to so many spiritual truths:)
Love this post! One of the coolest numbers I love is the number ZERO — it’s the number of my sins that He is counting against me — all because of Jesus. :)
Fantastic thoughts! I never looked at the number 4 that way – brilliant!
Joining with you in removing all the other numbers out of my head!
LOVE it! The 4s….and love the significance of numbers in the bible….ONE God, whom I was created to serve, love, honour, obey and give glory to – no one else!
So true, so true! I just posted about something along the same lines. http://inspiredbyfamilymag.com/2012/06/16/you-are-more-than-your-blog/
Enjoy,
Mari
Ah-Mazing post!! Thanks for bringing it all into perspective 4 us.
Great post!!!
This was a great post and I needed to hear it. I’ve been living in numbers lately too. Dwelling on them way too much. Thank you for the reminder!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Awesome post, Michelle! It’s so easy to get caught up in numbers regardless of what we’re doing. I love the thought that we should “give our numbers to God and begin to look solely to Him 4 our worth.” :)