verticalCHURCH recently started reading through the YouVersion Psalms reading plan (click here) during the month of August.  Much of the Psalms are cries to God from a heart of anguish, anger, insecurity, abuse, self-doubt…basically all the things that we feel as humans interacting with other humans but we’re afraid to admit to ourselves, much less someone else.  The Psalmists are revealing their true concerns and feelings of helplessness or even righteous indignation to a very real God who really does listen.  So many of these Psalms come from a heart that feels forgotten, trampled-on, wasted, or at best– under-appreciated.

I was recently in a conversation with a few people that I trust dearly.  I am blessed to be surrounded by some of the most talented, creative, intelligent and faithful men and women of God that you could ever know.  Want to meet them?  Come to vC!  They’re all there, I promise!  We have so much dynamite potential in our church it is ridiculous!  Anyway, as we sat there they were all sharing about times and situations in their life and ministry when a leader they were sent to serve undervalued their contribution.  In other words, other men or women that were called to lead them, either ignored their greatness and value or just exploited it as their own.  Been there, right?

Well, as I was thinking about this I was reminded of Jesus.  I was reminded of how many times he taught about the value of people.  You see, even though we are used to measuring our value in monetary terms, Jesus taught that the value is really found in people.

The Psalmist writes about it too, when describing the way God values humankind:

“You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor/ You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet” Ps. 8

I am convinced that it doesn’t matter how high someone manages to climb on the backs of others.  It doesn’t matter how far someone gets in their goals by using and abusing those around them.  Eventually it will crumble because God values people and when we don’t, we will not find reward or blessing.  We will find failure.  Never forget the hard work, sleepless nights or sweat that someone has poured out of themselves to serve the vision.  Always give honor and credit where honor and credit are due.  When we love and bless the ones God sends our way, we are truly following in the way of Jesus.