Could This Be True of Me?

"Never consider whether you are of use; but ever consider that you are not your own but His" -- Oswald.

Oswald proposes a method of living and thinking quite at odds with current American culture. Utilitarianism, "a system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be determined by its usefulness" (Wiktionary), permeates our society, influencing our sense of right and wrong, the value we place on human life, and even our faith.

I'm constantly thinking about whether or not I am of use. I assess my personal value based on how much I am needed, how much I have to offer, how successful my endeavors are.

I spent the majority of my day today working on a mediocre article that I will probably rewrite from scratch tomorrow. I spent my evening laughing to the point of tears over silliness and nonsense with three of my children while consuming an incredible dinner and dessert. About a 3.1 on the usefulness scale, but if I cut myself some slack, I would have to say on balance it was an exceedingly good day.

How comforting it is that God's ways are not my ways, and that even when I am not terribly useful, I am of great value to Him.