Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

This speaks to us on several levels. In the first place, it teaches a right attitude toward animals. They are to be respected and treated well, but they don’t begin to compare with human beings in value. There have always been those who have mistreated animals, but now there are people who act as though animals were more valuable than humans! Of more importance is the clear teaching of God’s very personal interest and care for us, almost to the point of absurdity. Unless we have very little left, few of us think at all about how many hairs are on our heads! The lesson is not simply that every detail of our being is “entered into God’s database,” so to speak, but that He cares. That is truly mind boggling. With this age of information technology and data overload, the idea of God knowing everything about us isn’t so hard to grasp, but that caring part is a real kicker. Through the centuries that reality has amazed and comforted generations of believers, but the sad thing is, many people don’t believe it. Some refuse to believe because they don’t want the accountability that goes with it, but some just can’t get their minds and hearts around the reality that God’s love really is that big. Peter’s instructions to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) almost seems like a throw away line, but it is a secret to peace and joy that has eluded many, many people, including many who claim to be Christians.

I was raised with a strong self image, but many were not so blessed. As a pastor I deal with many who seem absolutely crippled in this respect. We have twisted things around to the point that a good self image is considered conceit in some circles, even Christian ones. However, this isn’t at all a matter of saying we are perfect, just that God loves us anyway, and that makes us enormously valuable. I need to be an open channel for the Holy Spirit to speak that reality through me to those around me who are hurting so deeply for lack of grasping it. I see so many who treat themselves as not valuable, and they are the ones I am to lift up. I see others who treat others as not valuable, and I am to call them to account. That’s not because I am any authority in myself, but because I an ambassador of the God who made and cares about us all.

Father, thank You for the privilege of being Your agent. Thank You for being able to impact many, in church, in secular teaching, and otherwise. I pray that the message I project would be consistent and true to Your heart. Help me lift many to a right appreciation of Your love, so that Your truth may set them free indeed from all the traps of the enemy, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!