Listen

But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the superior value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for him, but what I lost I think of as sewer trash, so that I might gain Christ and be found in him. In Christ I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith.

Philippians 3:8-9

Think

I recently read a story about a Danish bicycle company that was shipping bike parts around the world. However, they began to receive complaints from customers that the parts were arriving banged up and even broken. The company learned that their boxes were being roughly handled by mail carriers. So, the Danish bicycle company came up with a clever solution: they began printing the image of a flat-screen television on the box. Suddenly, mail carriers began to treat their boxes with greater cares and customers received their bike parts in pristine condition.

Here in Philippians, Paul speaks about the “righteousness of God.” It’s a familiar theme in his writings and, for Paul, it is what gives human beings worth. It is like the image of God is printed on the box of our souls.

On this day, remember that your worth comes not from any value others may grant you, but from the mercy and righteousness of God.

Tyler Tankersley

Pray

Help me to remember, O God, that my worth comes from your goodness and grace. And open my eyes, God, to see the worth of my neighbor despite any differences I may have with them. Help me to see your image in them and to treat them with dignity and kindness on this day. Amen.

Go

As you depart from this moment, may you know that the righteousness of Jesus Christ walks with you wherever you go.