Have you ever noticed how the celebration goes after a World Series, Super Bowl, or Junior Soccer Match? The players who made errors, missed their assignments, and dropped passes are just as excited and happy as the ones who hit home runs or kicked winning goals. If you're on Christ's team, you get to shout for joy over what he has done and to march in the victory parade.

But somebody says she doesn't feel like celebrating. Another pipes up to say he is nothing but a loser. "My health is rotten!" protests someone. "I'm on the verge of losing my job, and I don't know how we can keep from losing our house," cries another. "My divorce will be final next week," says a trembling voice, "and I never meant to be alone at this point in my life."

Listen up! You're not a "loser." And despite the distress, sleepless nights, or uncertain markets, you still have reason to cheer – if you know Jesus Christ.

Stop selling yourself short!

Think about sports memorabilia for a moment. A few days ago, I walked through a collection of bats, balls, jerseys, and other sports items that were too expensive for me even to handle – much less consider buying. A baseball that once cost only a few dollars is worth several thousand because Babe Ruth held it in his hands and wrote his name on it. A football that might sell for $20 is worth hundreds because Troy Aikman has held and signed it.

Most baseball cards are worth the paper they're printed on. A signed Ted Williams card my son has in his collection is worth a few hundred because the legendary player once held it in his hands and signed his name on it.

Are you following me? Do you get the point? You're not just another sales rep, truck driver, or programmer. Even if you don't make headlines or tons of money, you're valuable. In spite of the fact that you're embarrassed about something in the past or scared of something in your future, you matter. So you can stop selling yourself short. If you have been held in Christ's hands and have the signature mark of the Spirit of God in your heart, you are saved. You have a reason for living. And you have a future that is secure.

You're no loser, my friend. You are the child of the King!

 

Print this Article Send it to a Friend Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.	Real Joy! Celebrate! Rejoice and Pray! RubelShelly.com
	ALL of Heartlight        --- ARTICLES   A Taste of Home   Caring Touch   Diary of God   Hope for Life   Hope from the Hill Country   Just for Men   Just for Women   Leading in Hope   Love, Sex & Marriage   Making Life Work   Prayer for the Nation   Single...Not Alone   Special Features   Timely Truths   Together in His Grace   Two Minute Meditations        --- DEVOTIONALS   Charles Spurgeon   Daily Wisdom   My Utmost for His Highest   Praying with Paul   Quotemeal   Today's Verse   What Jesus Did

© 2008 Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly's "FAX of Life" printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for previous issues of the "FAX of Life."

Title: "Shout for Joy!"
Author: Rubel Shelly
Publication Date: July 15, 2008

The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blackaby Will show you how an ordinary man can be transformed into an extraordinary servant of God.

Rubel Shelly preached for the Woodmont Hills Churchin Nashville for thirty years. He is the author of more than 20 books. He has accepted the position of President of Rochester College. For more details, click here or here to email.

More Heartlight Feeds

Get Heartlight articles and devotionals by email FREE every day! Daily Heartlight Today's Verse What Jesus Did! Quotemeal

More Information