This Easter, remember your life has infinite value

Back in the day, (almost a lifetime ago), I was an insurance agent. I found out that actuaries have figured out the monetary value of the human body. Now, granted it has been over 23 years since I have had to work with any of that, but I still often wonder what my value is.

For workman’s compensation, there is a table that states how much each appendage and organ is worth should there be a workplace incident. This helps the insurer to figure out how much a settlement offer should be and then the legal team takes it from there. Even when in the purchasing of life insurance, there is a maximum that can be bought, based upon your potential earning ability. (I know, this sounds pretty morbid but I have a point.)

So, humans have monetary value as dictated by business. In our personal life we try to find value in what we do and who we are. I know at times I feel of less value than others around me. Yeah, I sometimes feel sorry for myself. Sometimes I question my perceived self-worth. Sometimes my self-worth is dependent on what others may say or think about me. Sometimes my value is dictated by what I can bring to the table in any of number of scenarios. Bottom line: I, like many of you, question my worth to my community and family.

That being said, I do know what my ultimate worth is. Even amongst the self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy, I know that I am worth more to one person than I could ever imagine. So are you.

To one person, you are worth dying for. That’s right, you are worth giving everything up for. God has made that abundantly clear. Our value is in the blood of Jesus Christ. It says so right there in John 3:16-17. It says so in the very act of the crucifixion that Christ endured.

We are coming up on a holiday that should indicate our worth to God. Unfortunately, many people are too interested in the Easter Bunny, the right outfits and the filled Easter eggs. There are many who will not be going to church to hear about how much they are worth, and it doesn’t need to be that way.

Our churches and our ministers should be constantly reminding us of our worth in the eyes of God. You my friend are worth dying for. You are worth all the riches of heaven, and you are a child of God. The coming Holy Week and Easter Sunday are more than enough proof to let us know of what our creator thinks of us.

Look, everyone gets down, and everyone doubts. But you are of value. No matter what you have done, where you have been, or who you are, to God you are worth dying for, and Christ proved that.

So, in these next couple of Sundays leading to Easter, get in the church and hear about how much God thinks your worth. Then, realize how beautifully and wonderfully made you are. You are made in the image of God, and that means everything.

Shalom my friends.

See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.