the value in a blade of grass

the value in a blade of grass

We can sometimes struggle with our own worth. We can think too much of ourselves or too little. Both can prove to be dangerous positions, but it is amazing how something as simple as a blade of gras can teach us something so powerful about our true value and worth. 

In 1 Peter 1, our lives are compared to grass. Grass! You wouldn’t think of that if you weren’t reading it. Grass tells us that we are more important than we know, but not as important as we think. Did you catch that?  Look at it through Peter’s words:

 

1 Peter 1: 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

 

Out of all creation we are being compared to a blade of grass. What’s that saying? It’s saying before you think God made all of creation for you, think again! Yes we were made in his image (Genesis 1) and that makes us part of creation. Creation wasn’t made for us, if that were the case, what kind of God would he be setting us above himself?  Colossians 1:16 states: “For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” God didn’t make creation for us, he made it for himself. Why? Because his holiness and glory demands He be worshiped. Looking at all of creation, 1 Peter brings us back to the beauty of what looks so insignificant is actually magnificent. Our magnificence is magnified through our obedience to the truth and love is what flowers out of our obedience.

 

Jon Bloom says, “We suffer from significance confusion.” We think because God created us its all about us, but our pride and sin cause us to think more of ourselves than we ought. Our sinful nature isn’t satisfied by humility. A blade of grass doesn’t match the god like status we want to filter our life through. But that blade of grass is exactly what we are. That blade of grass tells us that “we are more significant to the maker than we know, but not as significant as we think.” When we walk in obedience to God’s word and love flowers, we will know the value of even a blade of grass.

 

Where are you struggling with obedience? Do you suffer from significance confusion? If you are struggling with recognizing the value of Christ in your life or recognizing your worth to God it’s likely because you aren’t pouring in the imperishable seed of God’s word into your life. It may be that you don’t often reflect on how perishable you are and how short and precious your life is, so take some time to do that now and reflect on these verses and pray them to God. Finally, Don’t waste this New Year saying, you are going to read Scripture and then never get around to it. His word spoke creation into existence and his word lasts forever. You have an opportunity to pour eternal imperishable life into yours right now and only then can your truly celebrate an eternity to come.