You Can Stop Searching for Worth

By Theresa Slabbekoorn – Posted on

the word YOU over an image of a vast landscape. A reflection of the sun in the upper left on YOU. Representing Christ identity is reflected in you and affects your impact on the world

You Can Stop Searching for Worth

Everyone is born with a thirsty soul in search of significance. We cannot rest until we discover answers to the questions: “Who am I?” and “Why?” Often, these questions leave us desiring more from life than a daily rinse-and-repeat routine. Deep within, we long for meaning that defines and establishes our worth and purpose.

When our significance is not rooted in our identity “in Christ,” we end up searching for meaning through performance, possessions, pastimes, or people. Your faithfulness or performance cannot give you value. King Solomon discovered that his extraordinary riches, success, and attainments were “vanity,” meaning empty and unfulfilling. These pursuits cannot produce meaningful self-esteem. Others are on the same quest as you; therefore, they cannot give your life meaning either.

A New Spiritual Identity

You were crucified with Christ, and the NEW YOU was given new spiritual LIFE. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the grave now lives in you, making you a son or daughter of God. You now have a new spiritual identity and spiritual nature. Your spirit is holy, righteous, loved, and accepted because you are one spirit with Christ. (Colossians 3:4)

God does not just SEE you as righteous. In Christ, God made the NEW YOU—your spirit—righteous. By the indwelling Spirit, you now possess the righteous nature and spiritual desires of Christ. Your spirit possesses love, patience, wisdom, and self-control, etc.

Since you are in Christ and Christ is in you, His identity is your identity, and His ways are your ways. The Spirit now enables you to manifest the fruit of the Spirit to live in a new, meaningful way.

Reflecting the Father

God created Adam to reflect the Father like a mirror reflects a face. Where the first Adam failed, the Last Adam, Christ, prevailed. Jesus showed us the Father and ended our search for worth and meaning. Christ knew He was God’s only begotten Son, and as such, His worth was an extension of His identity. His words, actions, and choices were expressions of the inward life of the Father and the fruit of the Spirit. He did not come primarily to DO something amazing, but to LIVE out His identity as the Son of God.

Much like a diamond, your life is an expression of your new identity and spiritual nature of generosity and kindness. While diamonds may have imperfections and limitations, these do not diminish their beauty or worth. In the same way, we each have our own shortcomings, yet we are still able to reflect our Father’s Light in many unique ways.

You do not need to DO anything to have worth.

Your actions and interactions do not give you value; rather, they are an expression of your new identity. Your significance is grounded in fact, not in emotions. Therefore, I encourage you to walk by faith and disregard any feelings that suggest otherwise. You do not have to strive to achieve or prove your worth. Instead, you are free to embrace and live out a NEW LIFE. Living this new life means choosing to align your thoughts, words, and decisions as expressions of your identity in Christ.

Do you know what your new identity needs?

Nothing… but to shine and show forth your NEW LIFE.

Let your Light (life) so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

The NEW YOU (your new spirit) longs, even needs, to display the goodness of God in all your interactions. When you do not express God’s goodness in your daily life, it can lead to an unsettling sense of discontent. This feeling arises because you were born again to receive and share God’s love.

As James 2:18 reminds us, “I will show you my faith (my identity and worth) by my works (actions and interactions). Your actions and interactions serve as tangible evidence of your faith and identity.

Living Out Your Identity in Christ

With God, all things are possible. Your identity guides your choices, revealing that certain behaviors and decisions are inconsistent with righteousness. Christlike practices are not rules to follow; they are wise actions that foster and protect your (and others’) emotional, mental, and relational well-being.

God is love.
God loves people to love people.

That is significant purpose. When you love others, God is glorified. Sharing God’s love not only honors Him but also deepens your appreciation for your new life. Your relationships and daily activities gain meaning and richness. In contrast, if your focus is solely on proving your worth, you may find life—and the people in it—burdensome, disappointing, and bothersome.

New You; New Choices

As a new creation in Christ, your transformed spirit naturally loves people and willingly invests time, talents, resources, and prayers to magnify God. And yet, hurting people often hurt others, and it may sometimes be difficult to respond in a Christlike way. When faced with the temptation to act otherwise, rely fully on the Holy Spirit, your Helper, to empower you to live consistent with your identity.

    • We forgive the seemingly unforgivable because God, in His lovingkindness, has forgiven us.
    • We do not participate in the deeds of darkness because they diminish the quality of our life and are inconsistent with our identity.
    • We care for the widow, the orphan, the wounded, and the outcast, because God loves people to love people.
    • We do not pay back evil for evil, because we have compassion for those who are hurting and lost.
    • We read the Bible, pray, and gather with other believers because life is about connecting with our Father and fulfilling our purpose to love and build up each other.

By nurturing a relationship with God and building fellowship with others, we draw from the Holy Spirit, who gives us the abundant life, meaningful relationships, and the fruit of the Spirit. When your light shines, it pushes back the darkness, confusion, double-mindedness, and discontentment for everyone.

As fall approaches, let us fall back in love with the gospel—a life marked by simplicity and purpose.

Love God, yourself, and others.

Theresa 

Theresa Slabbekoorn, Executive Director of Life Center

Life Center offers many resources to help you understand your identity in Christ and to help you fall back in love with the gospel. We want to help you live a life marked by simplicity and purpose. We offer one-on-one counseling, workshops, seminars (look under LEARNING menu), and trainings to help you grow forward. We are here to help you discover healing, freedom, and victory in your journey!