Why do you think some girls go "gaga" over songs like "Just the way you are" by Bruno Mars or "Little things" by One Direction? Perhaps, deep inside, we yearn to know that we matter to someone, sometimes - anyone. And perhaps, this is true for the guys too.
As a young teenager, I recall going through a stage where I kept questioning my worth. However, when I recommitted my life to Jesus, it's like He answered my question when I looked at what He did for me on the cross. And whenever the questioning resurfaces, this ragged doll analogy has always helped me to better comprehend how *we* are *valuable* and *precious* beyond measure, not because of our inherent traits, but because of the love Someone much bigger than us has for us. (:
And so.. I was so excited when I heard this song by Philippa Hanna on the radio! (:
As a young teenager, I recall going through a stage where I kept questioning my worth. However, when I recommitted my life to Jesus, it's like He answered my question when I looked at what He did for me on the cross. And whenever the questioning resurfaces, this ragged doll analogy has always helped me to better comprehend how *we* are *valuable* and *precious* beyond measure, not because of our inherent traits, but because of the love Someone much bigger than us has for us. (:
And so.. I was so excited when I heard this song by Philippa Hanna on the radio! (:
That song prompted me to search my humble book shelf for that book that contained the ragged doll analogy, but I couldn't find it. Instead, I found these quotes by John Ortberg on the internet and he takes this illustration a step further by challenging us to love our fellow ragged dolls (: (: (: (: (: Extra smiley faces because I'm excited! :) :) :) :) :)
“There is such a love, a love that creates value in what is loved. There is a love that turns rag dolls into priceless treasures. There is a love that fastens itself onto ragged little creatures, for reasons that no one could ever quite figure out, and makes them precious and valued beyond calculation. This is love beyond reason. This is the love of God.”
“If we are serious about loving God, we must begin with people, all people. And especially we must learn to love those that the world generally discards.”
“God sees with utter clarity who we are. He is undeceived as to our warts and wickedness. But when God looks at us that is not all He sees. He also sees who we are intended to be, who we will one day become.”
“Every day you and I walk through God's shop. Every day we brush up against objects of incalculable worth to Him. People. Every one of them carries a price tag, if only we could see it.”
“Love me, love my rag dolls," God says. It's a package deal.”
“God sees with utter clarity who we are. He is undeceived as to our warts and wickedness. But when God looks at us that is not all He sees. He also sees who we are intended to be, who we will one day become.”
“Every day you and I walk through God's shop. Every day we brush up against objects of incalculable worth to Him. People. Every one of them carries a price tag, if only we could see it.”
“Love me, love my rag dolls," God says. It's a package deal.”
Beautiful, Abby. Thanks for sharing. It's the same for guys. We have a terrible tendency to feel a need to prove something. There is a different kind of objectification for us - where self worth is directly linked to 'success'.
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