PENNIES...

My beloved friend,

Today, I pose an elementary question to you...what is the face value of a penny? It is quite simple: one single cent. But what is the redemptive value of a penny to you? Do you keep a close eye on the pennies in your pockets, purse, or wallet? What about when you spot a lonely cent on the ground; is it worth your time and energy to interrupt your day, bend over, and pick it up? And if you do hold onto that coin, do you ever get around to depositing or redeeming it?

Chances are, even if you rescue that penny from the pavement, its next home will not likely be in your bank account or a merchant's cash register. Sadly, it will probably fall again to rest between the cracks of your car seat or sofa along with gum wrappers, dust bunnies, and stale cheetos.

It's just a simple fact of life: a penny isn't very valuable. Have you ever wondered why we have such insignificant little things? After all, it takes 100 of these copper coins to become a dollar. Even a dollar doesn't hold much esteem these days. How much less is assigned to a single cent? To build up to a dollar amount that is even somewhat significant, it takes tens of thousands of those little coins.

To collect such a staggering amount by happenstance would be far too time consuming and exhaustive. There are many more productive and meaningful tasks we can all partake in. Loose change is all around us scattered about the planet. When redeemed, it does have value, but is it equal to the energy spent holding onto it? And so, I ask you the question: pick up the penny or pass it by?

We humans could very easily imagine ourselves being seen by our Creator as millions of pennies scattered upon the earth. Even the Bible says that apart from God we are worthless, expendable, fragile, and ill productive. And yet, with Him, we are more than conquerors, infinitely valuable, and able to do all things! Almighty God takes it even a step further – because of His boundless love and passion to be near us, He has chosen to make home right within our hearts. Considering this, we little pennies must hold far more value than we see in each other and ourselves.

Today you may feel like a penny strewn upon the worn pavement of life, completely overlooked by passers by or even by God Himself. Does it almost seem as though people peer down and spot you in your condition, but they lack the impetus necessary to reach down and pick you up? No matter - you have infinite value in the eyes of your Creator. Though it is possible to feel cast away by another person, it is IMPOSSIBLE to be discarded by your Heavenly Father. You are more than worth the effort and sacrifice needed to be rescued and redeemed. Each of us must come to truly grasp and continue to call upon this truth, regardless of what our eyes or emotions are telling us. That condemning voice within is always looking for opportunities to deceive and mislead our interpretations of situations. We, however, can choose not to believe the lies...

A penny may be just a single cent, but you, a fragile, created, and purposed being, are worth far more than you can fathom. You’re worth the sacrifice of another’s life. I speak not just of any life that was given to redeem you, but the very life of the one and only perfect Son of God!

Jesus stepped down from Glory because you caught His eye right where you were on the ground, and He found you lovely! Christ Jesus lowered Himself, lifted you up, and redeemed you eternally. No matter the face value you imagine when you see your reflection, you are a priceless treasure in the nail-scarred hands of your Savior; the crown of God’s creation.

So pick up the penny or pass it by? The very next time I find one, in remembrance of God's perspective concerning my eternal value, I think I might just bend down, pick up that lonely little penny, and deposit it straight into the bank...

TREASURED,
Katie Marie <3