Do you often feel that your worth is based on what you do? It isn't enough to simply state your name when someone asks your identity. Does what you do necessarily define who you are? Do we have to have a prominent title attached to our person to impress other people? Isn't it enough to just be ourselves?

I decided to tackle the subject after tiring of introductions I frequently hear in real life and on television. I first noticed it on one particular show, which I absolutely enjoy to the max. People look at property and try to choose one particular piece to buy. I noticed, especially, that when couples or prospective buyers, make their entrance, they immediately state, "I'm an engineer, college professor," and occasionally "a housewife or husband."

It seems as if a large part of the conversation is built about what they do rather than who they are. It's like if we can't attach a title to our identity, others will think we're nothing. Perhaps we need the prestigious trapping for our own self-esteem. We feel we're not good enough as we are.

To know one's occupation gives other people an idea of what we're qualified, or how we make a living, but one can't place his sense of value on what he does. However, we can be proud of what we perform in the world. Having a satisfying career is one of the biggest contributors to our happiness. It allows us to use the gifts God gave us and fulfill our role in the world.

A friend, Jack, suffers from obvious low self-esteem. He is a great guy but he is overly concerned about the impression he makes. In fact, Jack tires himself out trying to do too much. He'll do almost anything, which is permissible, to impress others or be noticed. As we all do, to a point, he craves the approval and love of other people, but excessively. He brings attention to himself by always subtly mentioning what he has done. You wonder why such a wonderful, talented and sweet person finds the constant people-pleasing so necessary. He's doing himself a great disservice. How can someone combat the tendency and feel more worthy? Author C.S. Lewis says "Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not." Christian author Philip Yancey says, "Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are."

His love is not based on what we do, what we have done or on what we're going to do. It is not based on what we own, or how many degrees we have. It is based on the fact that we are God's child.

God doesn't withhold his love because of our past transgressions. He doesn't necessarily want us to do more. He loves us because we are his children. We, also can't be too bad to receive his love.

Sometimes when we look in the mirror and see what's there, we can see all our sins. Without knowing that God loves us, regardless, we would give up on ourselves; but feeling his caring gives us the courage and will to continue, forgetting what's past, and reaching for a new tomorrow filled with hope.

Romans 8: 38-39 assures us with the Scripture, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above, or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What further proof do we need of our value and what peace that knowledge can bring!