Handle with Care



Rock Solid Bonfire-Thurs

              “Antiques Road Show".  Ever seen it? For those of you whose fancy is discerning trash from treasure, this is your show.  Here in New Zealand, we are privy to the BBC version which often features ancient paintings, sculptures, jewelry, furniture, books, autographed records, etc.  These items are on display for the express purpose of having them appraised by a professional, in order to discover their worth, their monetary value. (Don't worry, this is not a paid advertisement; there is a point to this!)


It’s quite remarkable the estimated value of some items that make it on to the show.  Some people walk out of the showroom elated that the random lampshade they picked up at a garage sale is now worth tens of thousands of dollars!  On the contrary, others exit the showroom with sheer disappointment that the item in which they invested so much turns out to nothing more than a mass-produced fake, and therefore not worth much at all.

Gorgeous Roses!

To ascertain the value of an item,  the appraiser must research its origins, where it comes from,  who made it, how old it is and the significant events in its history that make could make it unique and valuable.  Surprisingly enough, when a person finds that her object is worth far more than expected, rather than plan to sell it and get the cash, she often decides it is too priceless to sell and chooses to keep it in the family line for generations to come.  If there is a famous name attached to the item, its value immediately increases.  Something as silly as a scrawny piece of tissue could instantly be worth millions if it once belonged to Elvis Presley! 

Rock Solid Bonfire-Thurs

How much are you worth?
 Imagine with me that you want to find out how much you are worth. You place yourself on the stand, quiver under the microscope, and listen as the appraiser begins to dive into your family history, investigates your genealogy and looks for significant personalities in your background. Perhaps he takes note of all the diplomas you possess, the feats you’ve accomplished, the good and bad things you’ve done with your life.  What would be your value? Could you put a number on your worth?


More gorgeous roses!

I want to suggest to you today that no amount of money could ever match your worth.  You are beyond price tag.  You are priceless and ought to be handled with great care.

How do I know? Well, why not put yourself in the seat of the appraiser for a moment.  Travel back in time and take a peek at your origins, identify your maker, discover your purpose, and find what you’re really worth. Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is the account of the "beginnings" of all things and will give you  some big clues. Interestingly enough, you will read that at the inauguration of time, God created lots of crazy things like sea and sky, stars and galaxies, stingrays and lightning bugs .  . . all in just 5 days.  All of these he spoke into existence and said they were "good"!

But the 6th day was different. While God spoke everything else into being, to humans he gave special handling.  Mere words  didn't suffice for his prized creation;  He had to get his hands on us! God formed mankind from the dust and breathed into him the breath of life.  How odd of God!
God took extra care in using his own hands to craft the mind, body and spirit of humankind from the very dust he had created just days before.  . . and then breathed life right into him.  And  then God had the audacity to say it was "VERY good"! And do you know why it was very good?  Because God created man in His own image, to bear the resemblance of his designer and enjoy relationship with him.

Generations down the line we find YOU.  And you still wear the fingerprints of the Creator God, whose origins are of old and whose name commands more respect than Elvis Presley, or Barak Obama, or the Pope.  Your genealogy is full of notables, your Maker is unmatched, and your purpose is divine.  You are priceless and you have life because you were made on purpose.

The appraiser scratched his head with utter frustration and looks at you, speechless.  "I can't give you a price for her.  It's impossible; she 's too valuable.  She's priceless."

Life is precious.  Handle with care.