Word for Word 1/21/26

A Plane-Ride Visit 

Last February I was on a plane ride from Houston to Charlotte. I introduced myself to the middle-aged woman sitting next to me and we began a conversation. Throughout our conversation it became evident that she felt the need to prove herself to me. She had tremendous corporate success despite many obstacles and was living an impressive life. Yet, at the same time, I could sense that she struggled to see her own self-worth and the value of other people if they did not bring great contributions to society.

I think this woman was suffering from what many feel but have a hard time expressing. People want to feel worthy. They want to be righteous. They don’t want to feel left out or less important. Whether that be the kid on the playground, an athlete in sports, a business professional, or an elderly person who now depends on others to help them. Young and old want to prove themselves. Children tend to do this by showing off and adults tend to do it through their career, possessions, or by showing that they stand on the right side of history through their political and social beliefs. Of course, all these attempts fall short of finding true value. After she was done sharing, this is what I said.

As a Christian, I believe all people matter. They have worth and real value. Not because of how much they can do or have done, but because of the value God has placed on them. He is the one who created you. He gave you the body, brains, and abilities that He wanted. Yet, even more importantly, He put an infinite value on you. He gave His only begotten Son to come into this world of sin to redeem you and give you the hope of heaven. Your value was so great in the eyes of God that it was worth the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross.

Every person has value. God has said it and proved it. From the child in the womb to the healthy or disabled child to the active adult or the elderly person in need. You matter to God. Whether or not you can contribute or accomplish everything you want, you have value and worth before God because of Jesus.

The woman sat back in her seat and said, almost in relief, “I have never heard that before.”

This is something we all need to hear! Our Lutheran Confessions state, “The first and chief article is this: all have sinned and are justified freely, without their own merits, by God’s grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Smalcald Articles, Part II, Article I). On our own, we are sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God, but we are justified - declared righteous - through the redemption of Christ Jesus, which is received through faith in Him. 

What a comfort! Your value and worth are found in Jesus. No matter what this world says, no matter how you feel about yourself - by God’s grace you know what God thinks about you. This is the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. This is the Good News of the Gospel.

Maybe you have been searching for something. Maybe you have been wondering if there is more to life. Maybe you haven’t been to church in years. I’d like to invite you to come to church at King of Grace Lutheran Church in Waukon at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings. Come and learn the Good News about what Jesus has done for you and the hope that He gives you in this life and the life to come!

Pastor Abraham Faugstad
King of Grace Lutheran Church ELS, Waukon and Trinity Lutheran Church, Calmar