To Be Worthy Of

Sometimes when hard times come, I catch myself saying, “I don’t deserve this”, or someone else will even say to me, “You deserve better” (mostly in regard to dating). I’ve been thinking about this idea of deserving something. If you know me, you know how I love to look up definitions for things. One dictionary definition for deserve is “to be worthy of”. With that in mind, do we deserve happiness, success, love, good grades, a car, friends, a boyfriend/girlfriend, a good family, a good education, to own the latest technology, etc.? If so, why? What makes you worthy of any of these things, and are there some people who are unworthy of them?

As a Christian, I’m not sure we are entitled or worthy of any of these things.

     “For the wages of sin is death…” -Romans 6:23

Often I hear, “Do what makes you happy”, but I’ve found that happiness is an elusive little booger that seems to slip away the moment I grab hold of it. Contentment, on the other hand, can be based on the knowledge that God is still in control, regardless of our circumstances; He NEVER changes. I read somewhere once that “Happiness is easily attained but not easily maintained. Contentment is not easily attained but is easier to maintain.” Contentment is a choice; Happiness is chance.

I’m learning, somewhat reluctantly, to be content, regardless of where I am, who I’m with, and what I have or don’t have. It’s not easy and it doesn’t come without a few pity parties here and there.

Let’s look at that verse again, the whole verse.

“For the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23 (emphasis mine)

We deserve death, but God gives us life in His Son because He loves us. He chooses to bless us by His grace. It’s nothing we deserve or are worthy of. I am worth something because of who I am in Christ.

“Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” -Isaiah 49:4

We should seek to be content in all things, in all situations. What we do have are blessings from God, who gives graciously. So next time you bring out the chips & chocolate for your pity party, instead be thankful for what you’ve been given, because you really don’t deserve it.