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Women have an innate need to be valuable, but how do you find value in yourself? We are nurturers, doers, multi-taskers, and caregivers. Yearning for value, we attempt to be beautiful and cultivate beautiful spaces in lovely homes that smell like Anthropologie and look like no one lives there. We strive to be everything to everyone and, to be honest, many times we are. And on top of all that, we want to make it look easy.

Not So Much…

You and I don’t believe these desires are truly attainable, but that doesn’t stop us from trying or from beating ourselves up when we don’t measure up. I’ve stared into my own eyes in the mirror more times than I’d like to admit with contempt for all the things I’m not; all the times I’ve failed at being as valuable as I thought I should be, needed to be or wished I was. If I’m not careful, I can chip away at my worth without even trying.

But, God. He so graciously reminds me who I am. Yes, I’m a nurturer, a doer, a multi-tasker, and a caregiver. I’m a woman, a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, and a friend, but there isn’t an adjective or title that could add to or take away from my value because it isn’t found in those things. It’s also not found in being a high-powered executive, a stay-at-home-mom, a vegetarian, a dancer, a student, an Army wife, a good speller, a cool mom, a member of the club, or a leader or follower.

The creator determines the value, not the work of art.

I’m pretty sure my toddler has created some abstract works of art that rival the artistic renditions that have sold for millions. SuccessStory.com reports that the most expensive piece of abstract art sold to date was a canvas painted by Mark Rothko. You guys. It’s a rectangular canvas with purple paint on top, a line of green going across the middle, and solid red on the bottom. He entitled it “No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red).” (He’s obviously super creative with words, too.) It sold for 186 million dollars. ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX MILLION OF ‘EM. (Excuse me. *Alexa, add “Research how to become an abstract artist” to my to-do list.)

Seriously, though.

I could legitimately replicate it without a lot of effort, so where does this astronomical value come from? It’s the artist. The creator of that piece of work has something I don’t have. He knows more than I know about art and does things with a paintbrush I would never know to do. He produces strokes and blends colors in ways I don’t understand or know. The fact that I don’t fully understand the value of the art is honestly just ignorance on my part.

But wait, there’s more. There’s someone else out there who understands and appreciates the value of the work of art. There’s someone out there who has one hundred eighty-six million big ones burning a hole in his pocket just for that one, unique, complexly simple work of art.

Value doesn’t come from the canvas alone. It doesn’t come from the strokes you create or wish you had, nor from buying fancy paint or high dollar paintbrushes. The art gallery you find yourself in? Nope. The beautiful works of art you’re surrounded by? Wrong again. Find value in yourself by knowing the One who created you. You’re not valuable because of what you are, what you can do, or how much you’ve contributed. Let this land on your heart: Your Creator decided that you were worth making. He put a price on you that the deepest pockets in the world couldn’t touch. There was only one man who could pay the price for you, and it wasn’t monetary, but a ridiculously higher cost: His life. As it turns out, you were worth every bit to Him.

You’re valuable because He calls you His.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:20

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Find value in yourself by knowing He created you for a purpose.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last — and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

You are uniquely equipped and capable.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:29

She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks. Proverbs 31:17

There’s nothing you have or haven’t done, accomplished, said, or been that makes you valuable. Live in the truth that you’re more precious than gold because your Creator is kind of a big deal. He put you on this earth for a purpose, so don’t spend another minute questioning your value or worth in the things of this earth. Lift your eyes to the heavens and run hard after Him, for there you’ll find a freedom and value unavailable elsewhere.