Value: A Label Or A Person?
Zion
3 min read
Before you continue reading, define value in one word. Your mental list probably included words similar to important, precious or worthy which are all true but why was your name not on the list as well?
Now to be honest this can be a slightly complicated topic depending on the perspective from which we look at this and whether we’re talking about actual or perceived value but I’ll save that for another day and attempt to keep things simple. Let’s discuss this from a more general standpoint.
Most times, modern society teaches that you are valuable because other people say you are or because of your wealth, influence, charisma and so on. So if no one tells you you're valuable or treats you as though you're not, then maybe you're not so valuable after all. I beg to differ.
“People don't give other people value but qualify each other for the value they possess. Seeking for the definition of your value in others is a futile attempt because they did not create you and so cannot really give an accurate estimation of your value.”
The mere fact that there's no one else like you in this world makes you unique and valuable. The nuance is that value is relative and contextual. However, another person not recognising your value doesn’t mean you are not valuable. When this is not understood, we overcompensate and compromise our boundaries in an attempt to derive our value from those who were never designed in the first place to define it but to acknowledge and appreciate it. Let’s consider a few examples below that may help illustrate my point more practically:
You are not valuable because a certain calibre of person calls you their friend or partner, instead, you being their friend or partner qualifies them for the value you possess to the extent of what they define your relationship as and vice versa.
Your employer/the name of the organisation doesn’t make you valuable but their offer of employment to you qualifies them for the value that you possess to the extent of what they describe your role as.
I know those are pretty confident and somewhat controversial claims but the truth is career types, financial status or relationships don’t give a person their intrinsic value as an individual but are helpful tools that help extend the reach of the value that we already possess. I believe that's what we refer to as purpose; the outreach of our unique value to drive positive change. You are valuable first and deemed so, hence why the partner or company is approaching you to share in that value.
I also understand that we live in a practical world and so yes it’s true to an extent that if an individual is associated with certain people or organisations, they may have certain privileges or a reputation they wouldn’t have had initially…but then is it also true that if they don’t have those associations they are not valuable or valuable enough? Who sets the parameters used to measure a person’s value and can it be measured or categorised into different value groups if it’s all contextual anyways? Interesting isn’t it? Well, that is where further detailed discussions regarding actual or perceived value and their indices come in. Maybe we’ll discuss that sometime :)
Irrespective of what stance you take on this matter, I’ve written this to remind you to not subject yourself to the mundane parameters of others for their approval, and as the basis for your confidence or the perception of your value…at the very least on a personal level i.e how you view yourself. Know your worth, then remind yourself of it…always. Now define value again in one word, YOU.
Take-home points:
You are valuable because your creator says you are
You are valuable because you are YOU and there's value in your uniqueness
With this new understanding, rest in the confidence that you are loved and chosen by your creator to achieve great things.
Spend more time refocusing your energy on understanding your identity from the perspective of your creator, till you begin to perceive yourself as valuable...and go on to distribute that value in a way that makes a positive difference to those around you.
Resources:
If you want to know what your creator says about how valuable you are, you can ask him! But you can also get my affirmation journal which was published in December 😊
Other helpful links:
https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/valued-by-god/
Image Credits: Photos from unsplash by Girl with red hat and sendi gibran