According to a study done in 2010, 85% of Americans suffer from poor self-esteem. That was eight years ago so I am sure the numbers have changed, however I doubt that they have changed for the better. That is a shocking figure! As one person that can be counted in that percentage, it makes me extremely sad. So many people feeling less than good enough. So many hearts in pain. I have always loved princess stories. They all seem to have one thing in common. Someone makes them believe that they are not worthy of their place in life. They get mistreated, shunned, locked away. Cinderella lived on the ash heap by the fire and wore rags while made to serve her evil step-mother and step-sisters. Each of them had their own dreams though. Dreams of being loved, of being chosen and a life they could live happily ever after. What happens at the end of every princess story? Prince Charming swoops in, rescues them, falls in love with them and gives them the life they had always dreamed of.
Do you wish that happened in real life? What would you say if I told you that it does? You would probably laugh and call me a romantic, or a loon. Fairy tales are just make believe. There is no Prince or Princess Charming that is going to come into any of our lives and change them overnight. Life just doesn't work that way. No, we live day to day, eking out existences that in some cases are nothing that anyone would wish for. We work, we toil, we struggle. If we are lucky, we find someone that will love us and make the journey with us but in the end comes old age, sickness and death.
Well, my friend, you would be wrong. We do have a Prince and His name is Jesus. He left the glory of Heaven and took on a human body for you. He worked, He toiled, He struggled. He felt pain, sickness and rejection just as you do. He was called a liar, a heretic, a phony. And at His end, He was beaten, scourged, spat upon and nailed to a cross to die as a common criminal. That isn't a very pretty picture is it? But He came to earth fully knowing all that would occur. He could have chosen to stay in His comfy throne seated beside His Father. He could have opted out at any time during His years of life on this planet. He could have called a legion of angels to rescue Him from all He endured. But He didn't. He didn't because that was what it took to show you how much you are loved. How much He wants you to be with Him for eternity and to make sure you know that because of His sacrifice, you are worthy.
All of our lives count. If God didn't have a plan for you or me, we wouldn't be here. Whether you know it or not, you touch countless lives for good. Many love you, even if they don't tell you so. You do matter! Your life is precious! If we can keep our focus on all that was freely given for our sake and where we will be for eternity then we can nip our low self-esteem issues in the bud. The Prince of all princes has come to our rescue and chosen to take us for His own. What greater story could there be?
This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through
One day I'll wear a crown, a robe and royal shoes.
And walk beside my Savior through gardens fresh with dew
As He holds me close and whispers, I did it all for you.
Karla Johns - July 17, 2018
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