“Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” ISAIAH 43:4 NIV 

The world will tell you one of two things: give until you give too much at the expense of your own well-being or hold back and selfishly consider yourself above all else. 

Neither one sounds quite like God’s good plan for you, do they? 

Part of understanding your unique contribution to the world is valuing the gift of who God created you to be and stewarding that gift well. I want to continue to encourage you to own the responsibility of taking care of you by intentionally loving yourself and stewarding your life. Through the prophet Isaiah, God announced to His people, “You are precious and honored in My sight, and . . . I love you.” And I want you to be treating the person who is precious to God—you! —with tender care. 

You’ve begun to consider your gifts and abilities and interests and nature, and I want you to stick with that exploration. This week, carve out time to take note of what makes you, you. What sets your soul on fire? What sparks creativity and passion?  What relaxes you? What fills your cup? What is refreshing and replenishing to you? What might you need to let go of? What might you need to add to your life? This week, make room to care for you. 

You have your marching orders: take note of what makes you you. (You’ve already begun this inquiry. Use this exercise to gather all you’ve learned.) 

God, because I am precious to You, I will treat myself as precious and worthy of care. Just as I’ve committed to steward my gifts for others, show me how to care for myself. Amen.