Go Where You Are Valued?
So I ran to God....
The Dog vs. Post-it Note Test
“Go where you’re valued.” Sounds great, right?
Until you realize your dog values you more than most people do.
I mean, let’s be real—your dog thinks you hung the moon. Your boss? He thinks you can’t even hang a Post-it note straight.
So I thought, “Okay, where am I valued?”
Not at the gym—my trainer only values me when I’m gasping like a fish out of water.
Not at the grocery store—where apparently my “value” is trading $11 for a bag of grapes.
Not even on social media—where the algorithm says I’m worth three pity likes from people who were probably scrolling half-asleep.
And then it hit me: if I’m supposed to go where I’m valued, the only real option is to run straight to God.
God Doesn’t Just Like You—He Loves You
People value you based on performance. God values you based on presence.
Your job cares if you hit the numbers.
God cares that you showed up to Him broken, scared, and real.
The world says, “Prove you’re worth it.”
God says, “You’re worth it—that’s why I proved it.”
Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The world claps for performance. God died for presence.
The World Will Discount You; God Won’t
We’ve all felt undervalued.
Ever work hard on a project and someone else gets the credit?
Or pour into a relationship only to get ghosted harder than a haunted house in October?
The world sticks discount tags on people.
God rips them off and says: “Full price already paid.”
Psalm 139 declares you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Translation: You are not the Dollar Tree knockoff version of yourself.
You are a handcrafted, limited-edition, God-signed original.
Where You Run Matters
Running to people for validation is like trying to charge your iPhone with a potato. Might feel like something’s happening, but spoiler: it’s not.
When you run to God, you don’t just find value—you find identity.
He doesn’t just clap for you; He claims you.
He doesn’t just cheer for your wins; He carries you through your losses.
John 1:12 says: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Identity Before Activity
This is where we get it wrong—we think activity creates identity.
“If I crush it at work, then I’ll feel like a success.”
“If I hit 10K followers, then I’ll finally be important.”
No wonder we’re exhausted, burnt out, and living on oat-milk lattes and self-help podcasts.
But God flips it. Identity always comes before activity.
Genesis 1:27–28 shows it: God makes Adam and Eve in His image first (identity) and then says, “Be fruitful, rule, work” (activity).
The world says: “Prove yourself, then we’ll call you successful.”
God says: “You’re Mine—now live like it.”
Performance Culture Will Break You
Culture screams:
You are what you earn.
You are what you post.
You are what you wear.
Which explains why billionaires still go to therapy and influencers cry off-camera while unboxing “free” PR packages.
If activity determined identity, the most accomplished people would be the happiest.
Spoiler: they’re not.
Identity Anchors Activity
Even Jesus lived this out. Before He ever preached a sermon, healed the sick, or walked on water, the Father said:
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
Identity first. Activity flowed from it.
When you know who you are, you stop hustling for validation and start living from affirmation.
Always live FROM God’s love not FOR God’s Love!
Identity Unlocks Purpose
Purpose without identity is chaos.
That’s why half the world is running like hamsters on a wheel and calling it “the grind.” Lots of motion. No meaning.
Jesus said in John 15:5: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Without knowing who you are in Him, your purpose-chasing just burns calories without bearing fruit.
Think about Gideon—hiding in a winepress, doing the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time. God shows up and calls him “mighty warrior.” Identity first. Purpose next.
Identity Fuels Bold Purpose
If the enemy can confuse your identity, he can hijack your purpose.
That’s why he hit Jesus with: “If you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3).
Satan knows—if you doubt your identity, you derail your destiny.
But when you know who you are in Christ, you stop playing defense and start playing offense.
Let’s Get Gritty:
Stop begging people to see your worth.
Stop waiting for applause from folks who wouldn’t clap if their life depended on it.
Run where the applause never fades—the nail-scarred hands of Jesus.
Here’s the flow:
Value says: I matter to God.
Identity says: I belong to God.
Purpose says: I’m sent by God.
Identity without purpose is potential wasted.
Purpose without identity is chaos.
But identity fueling purpose? That’s destiny.
So if they told you to “go where you’re valued,” then run to God.
Jesus is the only one who valued you enough to die for you.
Forget chasing people’s opinions—their “value” comes and goes with moods, likes, and Wi-Fi signals. God’s value on you is eternal.
When you ran to Him, you didn’t just find value.
You found identity.
You didn’t just find identity.
You found purpose.
And now? You’ve found destiny.
“Stop living for discounts. God already paid full price.”
The Best Is Yet to Come,
Rev. John Roberts
I really love this! I am a beloved child of God! Thank you for the beautiful reminder, John!
Thank you , Pastor John. As I am trying to find myself I am reaching for God, he does value me. This opens my eyes to the fact that although I have felt discarded I know that only one sopinion of me matters, Our Father.