There’s a TV reality show that somehow manages to catch my imagination like none other. You’ve seen it, I’m sure—the one where people bring their antiques to a location in order that professional appraisers from all over the country can tell them what they don’t know about their blanket or brooch or old book. It’s hardly fast paced and no one gets kicked off the island, yet it draws me in. I wouldn’t say I’m a fan. I never plan on watching it… it just pops up while I’m channel surfing. I’m not even sure which night it’s on; that’s how not-dedicated I am to that program. When I flip through the pages of the on-line guide I don’t go to it before other programs. But when I hear “So where’d you get this?” or “How much did you pay for it?” or the one that I just can’t turn away from, “In today’s market, if this item were to come up for auction, I would place its value somewhere in the….” My finger flies to the volume button!
And then, on those rare but exciting occasions when someone’s trash turns out to be an incredible treasure and the owner is caught speechless as the expert gushes about the intrinsic value of their particular item—I have trouble not tearing up. I get caught up in the emotion of the moment as the newly aware owner struggles to process the information. You can see that their brain is refusing to believe what it’s just heard. I wait for it… as the owner squints at the appraiser and leans in over the item to ask, ”Did you just say sixty dollars or sixty thousand dollars?”
The appraisers savor the moment as well. They smile, nod and quietly repeat the suggested value. I particularly love it when the owner just doesn’t know what to say or do… they flush with surprise and look around for their people… the ones who came with them and stood in line grumbling while they insisted, “This will be fun!”
I understand why the owners react like they do. It may be the joy of found money or the pride of ownership, or both. It’s very common, following the moment of revelation, to hear the owner mumble, “Well, I guess I won’t let my grandkids play with it anymore!” I bet they won’t!
What I don’t understand is why I react like I do. Why, in that moment of newly revealed worth, does something stir deep in my spirit? Do any of you respond that way? Those TV snippets cause me to imagine the moment when ordinary people who’ve spent a lifetime believing they are not valuable are told just what a treasure they really are.
I believe deep within every human being is a God-given awareness that you are valuable. And just like those antiques, you haven’t yet been appraised by the One who truly understands your worth. Maybe you’ve been used and abused, sat on a shelf, or tucked away in someone’s closet. Perhaps, like grandma’s old vase, you’ve held flowers that quickly wilted, yet they were viewed as more valuable than you. I think of people who are unappreciated by the ones they care for—tossed here and there, faithfully serving people who simply don’t recognize your real value.
The Bible says God values us more than silver or gold. In fact, Jesus Christ considers the possibility of being in relationship with you as more valuable than his own life. One of Jesus’ closest friends recorded this statement by Jesus,
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
Maybe you’ve never considered that Jesus treasures you. He, as no one else, knows your true value. Let him restore you today.
Read Ron’s column, Simple Faith, each Saturday on the Faith Page (page 3) of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, or visit www.lancastereaglegazette.com.