During the last weeks the direction of many lives have changed. Our minds may reflect on the sporting achievements of the Commonwealth Games, the European athletics, or some other sporting events in the calendar – for there have been so many during the summer! But for many the outcome of exams has been uppermost on their minds. The anxious toil leading up to facing a sheet of questions, then sitting in silence furiously scribbling answers as the clock ticks by, with time disappearing quickly as the display knowledge and understanding has its moment.
The exam results have been revealed. For some there was disappointment and regret that grades were missed, and opportunities seem to have changed. For others there was delight and euphoria at achieving the desired marks or exceeding expectations. Family members commiserate or celebrate according to the outcome. It may be a time of grappling with deep issues of our sense of self-worth: the two extremes being to struggle to regain confidence, or to brim with pride.
The number and level of exams passed, the grades achieved, or the outcome of applications are not a measure of our worth. Our worth is discovered only in relation to God. Here is the assurance we need to hear, remember, and even be reminded of again and again. It concerns the issue of whether there is any trying circumstance or trial we face that can throw doubt on our value to God. The answer is a resounding ‘no’ given in a truly memorable way by the Apostle Paul: ‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8v38-39).
This does of course extend across all of life from our youngest to our most mature years. Our sense of self-worth may be as changeable as the weather, but the great love of God in Jesus Christ is steadfast and true. With that in mind we can hold our heads up and face the future with this sure knowledge of God’s commitment to his people.
Do join our Sunday services to discover more about knowing the love of God for yourself.
Paul Kingman