+Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—WORTH. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. We write for five minutes on a given word. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out the Five Minute Friday website. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
WORTH
Worth truly is a matter of perspective. If I place value on the gifts God has given me, the talents He allows me to exercise, the family and friendships He’s surrounded me with, these are all worth much to me, am I focused on the wrong things? don’t get me wrong, I LOVE those who people my life.
But, sometimes I am so about the things of this world, that I forget what’s really worth much more than even the relationships this side of heaven.
It’s all perspective.
We live a certain number of days on this globe, struggling, experiencing joy, love, hardship, pain and more. But, this isn’t the end.
This isn’t the end.
No matter what we value here on earth, it’s nothing compared to what it will be like when we get to heaven. The worth of things here will be the amount of a handful of dirt in the light of knowing Jesus. Jesus is worth so much more than anything on either side of the veil.
His love for us.
The gift He gave us in dying in our place on the cross.
These are worth so much more. Yes, we have value to our Father. But if we stop there, we miss so much.
Our eyes are focused on . . . ourselves.
When I can look on all the good the Lord has given me here, as much as I love it all? And I can place more worth in Jesus, knowing Him, and His love?
That is worth so much more.
The sufferings we face here are hard. No dismissing that. But, in the light of eternity, they are not worth comparing with the glory of what is coming. The glory of God when we meet Him face-to-face. That amazes me when I stop to think about it.
I need to get my eyes off my struggles, which are minor compared to so many on this earth. And I need to put them on Jesus.
He is the one who strengthens and equips us to walk the hard paths here. He is the one who gives us anticipation for the joy of meeting Him in person one day.
What about you? How do you keep an accurate perspective about what’s worth the most? What perspective helps you when the hard times stalk into your life?
I’m linking up with Five Minute Friday—Worth. Come join the fun!
Jeanne Takenaka 
beautiful words! sometimes I think I enjoy earth too much, but still… I almost can’t wait to get to heaven and to the eternal abiding presence of Trinitarian Love. I’m visiting from FMF, where I’m in spot #3 this week!
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Leah, The older I get the more I feel the tear in my spirit between staying and focusing here and yearning for heaven. It’s gong to be amazing to see our Father face-to-face, isn’t it? Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s nice to “meet” you!
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Great post, Jeanne. Loved the pictures, especially the heading pic with the feather.
For me, perspective is rooted in the parable of the three servants who were entrusted with their master’s money. The lesson learned is that he who is trustworthy in little things can be trusted in great things.
I think that’s operative in treating our lives with care, as if what we do HERE is the most important thing. God made this world for a reason, and placed us here for a reason, and it’s our job to approach everything we do with care and diligence.
If we do this to the best of our ability, we will be able to fully enjoy Heaven.
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Andrew, that is a great parable. And, you bring up a good point. WE don’t want to “be so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good.” You’re right. When we are trustworthy with what God gives us, that honors Him. When we love as He loves, that blesses Him. You’re right that we need to treat our lives here with care . . . and with a balance of perspective. Your comment is a great added insight into the words of the post. Thank you, my friend. I always appreciate your thoughts.
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Jeanne, I struggle with it this week. And today…today I have no answers. 🙂
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Awww, my friend. I read your post. I’m praying for you. This thought of not being too attached to earth and all it holds is hard. And throw in doses of life’s hard, it can overwhelm. Thank you for stopping by. I’m praying for you today.
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Jeanne,
I needed this encouragement as I wade through the seemingly endless days of waiting through this healing process. What I’m dealing with will seem like nothing when compared to the worth of the glory yet to come. Trying to keep an eternal perspective and focus on the One who makes it possible….thanks!
Blessings and have a good weekend,
Bev xx
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Bev, there’s little that is harder than waiting for healing to happen. It can be disheartening, frustrating, and wearying. You’re right. When we keep a good perspective on what we’re dealing with now in light of eternity, it seems so small, doesn’t it? I hope God enables you to keep that eternal perspective, friend.
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So true, it’s important to keep the right perspective and keep our eyes on Jesus, instead of letting ourselves be distracted by temporary things and looking at ourselves. He is worth so much more.
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Lesley, may we both be intentional about keeping our eyes on Jesus, and not allowing the things of earth to distract us. He is worth so much more!
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You made me think 🙂
Thank you
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I hope that’s a good thing. 😉 Have a great weekend, Somer!
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Keeping an accurate perspective is hard. I always refer to the Trinity in these times. If I can get out of my own way God can work through the crossroads. xoxo I’m #28 this week. Thank you for sharing this beautiful refocus of the eyes and soul, friend.
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Carolina, I like your idea of keeping an accurate perspective by referring to the Trinity. What a good idea. And yes, let’s both work on getting out of our own way so God can work. 🙂 Love that. Have a great weekend, friend.
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Jeanne love your thoughts this morning. Almost made me cry. Really.
Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for this.
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Awww, thank you for your kind words. I love when God uses words to speak on a heart level. I’m so glad you stopped by!
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“We live a certain number of days on this globe, struggling, experiencing joy, love, hardship, pain and more. But, this isn’t the end.” Thank you for your unique perspective on WORTH. Thank you!
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I so appreciate you stopping by, LR. For me, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the every day happenings with my family, and I forget that we truly don’t know the number of our days. I need to keep a wider perspective with the truth, the reality that we don’t really know the number of our days. Only God does. May we both choose to live them well. 🙂
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Jeanne, comprehending our worth while living in the tension between Heaven and Earth can be a struggle. I try to recognize my worth is not found in anything of this Earth. Yet, the reality is that Jesus didn’t pray for us to be taken away from it and God supplies what we need through things on this Earth. I remember that ultimately none of it can take away or enhance my purpose here. That is ordained from above and can be weaved through any circumstance here.
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Stephanie, remembering our worth is found in in Jesus is so key, isn’t it? I really like your perspective that earth has its purpose in our lives, but it’s not to be where we turn to discover our value. Such good words. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
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I enjoyed reading your response to “worth”. I hav ed to t ed mind myself to seek more of Him, less of me.
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Thank you so much, Sally. I have to remind myself to seek more of Him and less of myself too. May we both grow in this area! I’m so glad you stopped by!
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Hello – oh you are so right…..this is not the end! and, therefore, “this” cannot be our focus and/or our priority. How quickly we forget that. Thanks for the reminder! Have a wonderful weekend!!
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Jennifer, it’s too easy to forget to include Jesus in the everyday things that happen, isn’t it? May we become quick to remember and look to Him through the happenings of each day.
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hi jeanne:) i loved your post today. we had some commonalities in our emphasis today. i was pretty slow getting my post up. we got home late thursday from our vacation (really very early friday) due to flight delays and car issues. dr. appt yesterday, then nap most of afternoon helped us catch up a little. today we need to finish unpacking and putting away. vacations are not for the weak of heart are they?
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Thanks, Martha! I look forward to stopping by your place this weekend. You must be exhausted. I’m always wrecked for a few days after all-day-into-the-night travel. I hope you’re able to rest up and recover from your vacation. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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So much more indeed! I’m in the 72 spot this week!
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Thanks for stopping by, Tara!
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I always appreciate your thoughts, Jeanne. I sometimes find it so hard to gain that perspective and I take comfort in knowing Jesus understands that. As the Psalm says, “He knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust.” And He doesn’t condemn us for that. I’m grateful that He bestows worth on us because He loves us and made us in His image. Thanks for your reflection here.
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Jeannie, thank you for your kind wordsI’m with you…so thankful for God’s grace in those times when I lose perspective. I’m still amazed that He is so patient with me in my “dusty” state. Thank goodness for His love right?
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