"The Stripped Down Version of You"

1st Samuel 26.19 NASU

“...for they have driven me out today so that I would have no attachment with the inheritance of the Lord...”

Most of us think and act as though our lives are defined by the things that surround us. In casual conversation, especially with new acquaintances, we tend to describe what we do, where we live, what and who we know. We are looking for commonality but, also hope to impress others, leaving them with a high opinion of ourselves. Our jobs, education, social status, income levels, and house values are all descriptors of material status. We communicate this with an expectation that others will, in turn, recognize our personal status.

What if we were stripped of all these attachments? Without a job, no education or income, zero social standing and homeless, would we still have value? Is our value intrinsic? Or, is it based on indicators of outward success?

David lost it all. He was pursued as an enemy of the nation he loved. King Saul was intent on killing this innocent man. David cried out for justice:

“They have driven me out today so that 
I…have no attachment 
with the inheritance of the Lord.”

Imagine the loss of all things, no attachments at all. No family, no home, no income, no friends, no status. Would you truly believe in your own value? Would you believe yourself to be lovable by God and others? Jesus loves even the stripped down version of you. He lived and preached that “life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot” (Luke 12.15 “The Message”).

I have more than my fair share of emotional and physical attachments. I hope they never get stripped away. But if they did, would I believe I still had value?