I love Baptism Sundays because there is such a unique life and excitement in the air that surrounds these days.
After service was over, I had jumped on Facebook and saw that the post I had written earlier about our Baptism service was being celebrated by friends and family all over. I was so encouraged.
As I scrolled through Social Media, I saw that some other sister churches had also had Baptism services. We had 6 Baptisms that Sunday, some had 12, some 20, and there was even one with over 140!
I was so filled with joy. God had won the day. People were moving forward in their relationship with Jesus, churches were successfully fulfilling the Great Commission.
In the midst of this moment of reflection and celebration, I was posed with this question.
"Doesn't it bother you that all those other churches had more baptisms than you?"
In the midst of celebrating a great day, a great victory, something so starkly opposite was dropped in my lap.
It is not a perspective I haven't heard before, in fact it is a mindset that, unfortunately, I hear all the time.
The heart of this statement comes from a desire to compete, and even more, a belief that you are losing that competition.
Simply put, this type of statement is an indicator of lack of self worth.
Many people cannot find it in themselves to compliment, or celebrate others accomplishments.
The reason for it, is they believe by celebrating someone else's victory, they are taking from themselves, and giving it away to another.
They see open encouragement as an addition to another, and a subtraction from themselves.
They cannot afford to celebrate with others, because they couldn't possibly risk feeling any lower than they already do.
This mindset is based on a lie. Lifting others, lifts you! Encouraging others, encourages you! Celebrating others allows you to be part of the celebration!
God is a God of addition and multiplication, not of subtraction and division.
Be encouraged today, and know that you have so much worth!
Look carefully at what King David says here in Psalm 139:13-16 "Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration - what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watch me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day."
You are so valuable! You were crafted by God, which makes you a beautiful creation!
So let me encourage you, you beautiful creation of God! Rest in the truth of your great value, and take time to remind others of their worth as well.
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