AM I WORTH THE INVESTMENT? - The Warrior's Journey®
Insignificance

AM I WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

Author: David Causey, USA (Ret.)

Pre-flight inspection. Photo by U.S. Army is licensed under CC By 2.0

Newsweek reported that a GOP candidate for State Treasurer of Rhode Island has told supporters to “Send me no money.”

The candidate, Michael Riley, ran for office in a state that Democrats dominate. All its US Representatives and Senators are Democrats, as are the vast majority of its state legislators. Riley considers himself such a longshot that he’s told any prospective supporters not to “spend their hard-earned money” on nor invest their time in his candidacy. He posted this message on his website.

At first, I thought, “Wait a minute. He’s running for treasurer. This is just a ploy to make people think he’ll be careful with their money.” But, then I thought, “No. That’s political suicide.” Not only is he cutting off all support. Such a message would more likely lead people to think, “This guy’s a loser!” And, as General Patton once told us, “Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser.” So, I suspect Michael Riley’s appeal was motivated by a true sense of not wanting others to waste their time and money on what he considers a “lost cause.” His chances of success were simply too slim.

Worth the Investment

Do people ever feel that way about themselves? Do they ever feel like they are not worth anybody’s investment of time and attention? Before my father died, he would always tell me not to waste my money buying birthday or Christmas gifts for him. I never thought about it before, but now I wonder. “Did he think he was not worth such expressions of love?” I confess that I’ve shot down my own plans to pursue any more advanced education for that very reason. “Education is expensive and I’m not worth that investment? At 62 years old, what am I going to do with another degree? Education should be invested in my kids and grandkids—not in an old geezer.”

But that sense of being a “lost cause” or “not worth the investment” is shared by people of all ages. They have doubts about their own prospects for success and fear they’ll never find their niche or serve any useful purpose.

Yet in His vast creation, God gave an eternity’s worth of forethought and planning into everything He made. Even the tiniest bacterium serves some purpose. There’s a plan behind it. And all through its short lifespan a faithful God sustains its existence and keeps its every component functioning. If God invests so much planning and time in a bacterium, is it likely He’s placed us on this earth to no purpose? Doesn’t it make perfect sense that we were in His thoughts throughout eternity and that He eagerly anticipated our arrival in His creation (Psalm 139:13–18; Jeremiah 29:11)? Though we were only a concept in His infinite intellect, He loved us and yearned to bring us into existence. Isn’t it rational to believe that God celebrated our conception and birth—as He will our glorification in heaven?

God’s Plan for Us

Certainly, God has a divine plan and purpose for our lives—no matter how unpromising, used-up, or how broken they may appear to us now. Certainly, God always considers us worthy investment. For God did not merely “create something from nothing” with which to redeem us. He gave up part of Himself—His own eternal Son—to redeem us (John 3:16). Paul the apostle said that God invested His love, poured it out, into us (Romans 5:5).

And every moment of every day God is focusing His thoughts and efforts in caring for us, protecting us, and making us fit for heaven (Romans 5:6–10; 8:31–39; Philippians 1:6; 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; Jude 24–25). “How precious are Your thoughts concerning me,” King David wrote in Psalm 139:18. “How vast is the sum of them. Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sands of the sea.” Yes, you and I are worth the investment. God says so.

PRAYER:

Dear Father in heaven, open my eyes to Your love for me. As Paul prayed in the Bible, help me to grasp with heart and mind “the depth, height, length, and breadth of Your love.” And help me to experience and enjoy Your love which surpasses all understanding. Amen.


In article photos in order of appearance: Vet training by the U.S. Army licensed under CC BY 2.0
Clear Skies Ahead by U.S. Marines licensed under U.S. Gov Works

Information from: https://www.newsweek.com/rhode-island-candidate-michael-riley-donations-volunteers-treasurer-statement-1139959

Let's Talk

100% Confidential | Warrior-to-warrior

We respond within 24 hours and can provide community support, resources, and referrals.