Beautiful Word: Your Daily Devotion

Daily Scriptural Insights, Curated by the Editors of CT | [View online] [ChristianityToday.org][Donate] [Beautiful Word Newsletter] Wednesday, January 25, 2017 Never Unnoticed [Mary DeMuth] Today’s Verse Powered by the [New Living Translation] “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:29–31 [View in context] I recently viewed a Netflix show in which drug abuse was rampant and I felt I had to shield my eyes. I simply couldn’t watch people snorting and drinking and shooting up. It brought back memories of a time when my life was anything but safe. I was five then, and the adults around me had wild parties. I tried to hide in my room, turning my head to the wall, escaping into the well made between my twin bed and the wall, so small no one would notice me. Even though I didn’t know it, God noticed me even then. This trauma affected me throughout my growing up years. I ran away—from strangers, adults, and anyone who smacked of substance abuse. I couldn’t articulate it then, but my preservation was tied to being unnoticed—a paradox because I deeply wanted to be noticed. Understanding my worth has been a titanic struggle in light of that. So it’s interesting that God would have me write a book about worth. I’m not 100 percent healed from being a little girl afraid during druggie parties. But I’m growing—and learning. I know I’m not alone in this battle for worth. You and I may have different reasons as to why we struggle, but that doesn’t lessen the fact that we each desperately want to know we’re worthy. Thankfully, our great God intersects our fears, redeems our past, and loves us right now—no matter what our histories involve. He dignifies us; in him, we no longer have to live unnoticed. Reflect Read Matthew 10:29–31. How does knowing that nothing escapes the Father’s notice affect how you see him? Pray Consider times during which you’ve felt unnoticed, naming each experience and thanking God for being present and faithful to you—even if you didn’t realize it at the time. Mary DeMuth is an international speaker and the author of over 30 books, including [Worth Living: How God’s Wild Love Makes You Worthy]. Learn more at [MaryDeMuth.com]. [Read devotions online] | [Share with a friend] More for Women [God Wants You to Get Some Sleep] [God Wants You to Get Some Sleep] Our restless generation is missing out on the spiritual benefits of shuteye. Kate Shellnutt [How Trump's Inauguration Will Catalyze Christian Witness] [How Trump's Inauguration Will Catalyze Christian Witness] Now is the time for the church to embrace the radical, ordinary influence of faith. Katelyn Beaty Follow Us [Facebook] [Twitter] [RSS] [Subscribe to this newsletter] In the Current Issue [January/February] [500 Years After Luther, We Still Feel the Pressure to Be Justified][Subscriber access only] [Reading the Reformation in 2017] [Ultrasounds Help Bridge Evangelical and Catholic Theology][Subscriber access only] [View Full Issue] [Subscribe Now] Christian Bible Studies [Racism: How Should Christians Respond?] [Our faith must inform the way we think and act about this ongoing issue.] [by Aaron Cho and Amy Jackson] [Beautiful Word] Delivered via email to subscribers daily. [Subscribe] | [Email Preferences] | [Unsubscribe] | [Privacy Policy] | [Advertise] | [Subscribe to CT] You are currently subscribed as: {EMAIL} Copyright ©2017 [ChristianityToday.org], Christianity Today, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.