Currency of our Soul

Friends, let's dive deep into the heart of value today. Not the superficial kind that flashes and fades, not the type that rusts and decays, but the eternal, unshakeable worth that resides within the very core of your being. We're living in a world that's obsessed with quantifying everything, a society that's frantically trying to assign a price tag to every aspect of human existence - including the priceless essence of who you are.

But here's the raw, unvarnished truth: you're not a commodity in the marketplace of life. You're not a product to be packaged, marketed, and sold to the highest bidder. You're not a resource to be exploited until you're depleted. No, you are infinitely more. You're a masterpiece, a magnum opus crafted by the hands of the divine artist Himself. When the Creator of the universe gazes upon you, He doesn't see a barcode or a balance sheet. He sees boundless potential waiting to be unleashed. He sees a purpose so profound it has the power to reshape destinies. He sees the very reflection of His own image, a mirror of divinity in human form.

Now, let me be clear. There's nothing inherently sinful about desiring comfort or pursuing financial stability. The issue arises when we allow these temporal goals to hijack our identity, to become the compass by which we navigate our existence. We can't afford to let the world's shallow metrics of success become the yardstick for our self-worth. The moment we do, we've already lost the most precious thing we possess - our authentic selves.

Consider for a moment the story in Scripture of a woman who grasped this truth with both hands. In a society that sought to define her by her past, her gender, her social status, she dared to see herself through God's eyes. She refused to let the opinions of others or the expectations of her culture dictate her value. This woman understood that her worth stemmed from something far greater than her bank account or her reputation. It flowed from the unshakeable reality of who God said she was. And because she anchored herself in this truth, she was able to stand tall in the face of judgment, to make choices that defied convention, to live a life so impactful that we're still talking about it thousands of years later.

But here's the monumental challenge we face: in a world that relentlessly tries to reduce us to mere numbers on a spreadsheet, how do we hold fast to the truth of our inherent worth? How do we remember our divine value when everything around us screams that we're only as good as our last achievement or our latest acquisition?

It begins with a radical decision. A decision that will shake the very foundations of how you see yourself and interact with the world. It's a decision to view yourself not through the distorted lens of societal expectations, but through the crystal-clear perspective of your Creator. It's a choice to measure your worth not by the fleeting standards of wealth, status, or popularity, but by the timeless metrics of love, compassion, and purpose. It's a commitment to invest not just in your financial portfolio, but in the richness of your character, the depth of your relationships, and the expansiveness of your spiritual journey.

Let me tell you something that might just change the trajectory of your life: when you start living from this place of unshakeable, God-given worth, it revolutionizes everything. Suddenly, you're no longer a leaf blown about by the winds of others' approval. You're not compromising your core values for a moment of acclaim or a fleeting payoff. Instead, you're standing firm in the truth of who you are and what you believe, regardless of the cost. You become immovable, not because you're rigid, but because you're deeply rooted in something greater than yourself.

And here's the beautiful, almost paradoxical truth that emerges when you embrace this reality: the moment you stop treating yourself like a vending machine - dispensing value only when the right coins are inserted - you become infinitely more valuable to the world around you. Why? Because you're no longer operating from a place of scarcity and fear. You're not giving to get. You're not loving to be loved. You're not serving to be seen. Instead, you're pouring out from a well of abundance that never runs dry. You're loving from a heart that's already full. You're serving from a spirit that knows its infinite worth.

This shift in perspective doesn't just change you; it has the power to transform everything and everyone you touch. When you truly grasp your value, you start seeing the invaluable worth in others. You begin to treat every person you encounter not as a means to an end, but as an end in themselves - a unique masterpiece worthy of respect, love, and dignity.

So today, I want to issue a challenge that goes beyond mere introspection. I want you to embark on a journey of radical self-discovery and divine revelation. Take a long, unflinching look at how you've been valuing yourself. Have you been letting the fickle opinions of others determine your worth? Have you been chasing after accolades and acquisitions, hoping they'll fill the void in your soul? Or have you been courageously embracing the priceless nature of who God created you to be?

I urge you to make a decisive break from the world's flawed value system. Choose today to invest in the things that truly matter - not just for this life, but for eternity. Pour your energy into cultivating a character that reflects the divine. Invest your time in relationships that nurture and uplift. Dedicate yourself to pursuits that align with your God-given purpose.

Remember this truth and let it be etched into the very fabric of your being: you are not defined by what you have or what you do. You are not the sum total of others' opinions or society's labels. You are a child of the Most High God, fearfully and wonderfully crafted, imbued with a purpose and destiny that far transcends any earthly measure of worth. Your value isn't earned; it's inherent. It's not acquired; it's bestowed by the King of Kings.

So I challenge you: live from this place of unshakeable worth. Love with the lavishness of someone who knows they are infinitely loved. Give with the generosity of one who understands that their worth isn't diminished by their giving, but multiplied. Serve with the confidence of royalty, knowing that your position is secure in the palace of the Divine.

When you embrace this truth - when you live, love, and give from this place of God-given value - you'll discover a richness of life that no amount of money can buy. You'll tap into a wellspring of purpose that no achievement can rival. You'll experience a freedom that no worldly success can offer. And in doing so, you won't just change your own life; you'll become a catalyst for transformation in a world desperately in need of people who know their true worth.

- Pastor Mitchell Royel