By Raly Ewemie

The dictionary defines values as ‘a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.

Furthermore, Dr. Boa defines values as those things that we deem important and provide direction and guidance in all situations and circumstances, not dependent on our feelings or emotions.

As a child of God, follower of Jesus Christ, and temple of the Holy Spirit, my values are based on God’s Word and on His eternal values of truth, beauty, goodness, love, and justice. God is the source of all my values because He is my Creator. He made me, He spoke me into existence.

It is through my values that I respond to the challenges of life and the needs of my brothers and sisters. My values are firm. They motivate and direct my character, indeed, all I think, say, and do. They give me a purpose. They also help me set the boundaries of my behavior and my actions.

Imagine if there were no borders or boundaries, there will be no order and a life without order is sick, unhealthy, dangerous to be around and meaningless.

Allow me to share with you my God-centered values.

* I value my relationship with God because without Him I am nothing.

* I value my fellowship and intimacy with the Holy Spirit because He reveals and empowers my purpose and my reason for existence.

* I value my love because it helps me reflect God’s beauty.

* I value my peace because it gives me confidence and faith.

* I value my sincerity because it keeps me humble.

* I value my priorities because it keeps me focus and in line with God.

* I value my hygiene and health because it gives me a healthy body to do the will of the Holy Spirit here on earth.

* I value my relationships because they give me an opportunity to express love and to be loved.

* I value my challenges because they make me stronger and reveal the great beauty of God in me, through me, and for me.

* I value managing my finances which enable me to meet my needs and, in Christian charity, help others. This brings me great satisfaction and fulfillment.

* I value my home because she reveals the great mystery and beauty of Three becoming One.

* I value my character and attitude which make me beautiful for the Lord.

* I value my weakness for it’s a great opportunity for God’s strength to find fulfillment in me and make me beautiful and strong.

* I value my purpose because it is God-given and the reason I live and breathe and have my being.

SALT AND LIGHT (Matthew 5:13-16)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I will like to share more light on verse 16 “ God says, “ in the same way, let your light shine before other, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Many have misunderstood this scripture so greatly and hence fallen into the subtle deception of the enemy.

Sometimes people do wonder how to flow in that rhyme of shining your light for all men to see and bring glory to God, versus the scripture where Jesus commanded “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matt 6: 1-4

Your light shinning before others has to do with the one you are sent to blessed and that one alone. Your light shinning before other has to do with the group you are sent to bless and that group alone. Your act of kindness or righteousness should be shown to the receiver and that should be the end of it. Meaning, you are not to go broadcasting to everyone else that you showed an act of kindness to such person.

For example a friend walks up to you and say, “do you know Sister Jane is pregnant?”, then instead of responding with words of thanksgiving to God, you go ahead and tell the sister that you prophesied to Sister Jane in the hallway that she was going to have a child. That is not shinning your light for all men to see to bring glory to God.

I remember God giving me an idea. I went over to my leader to share this idea. My leaders received it with thankfulness and then created a committee to enforce that idea. When the name of those chosen to be a part of the committee was announced at our joint meeting. My name was not mentioned. I was so upset and wondered how such an act can be done. The one with the idea was left out.

I got so upset and later the Holy Spirit in His mercies did convict me. He said “ Raly what matters most is that the idea was embraced and now enforced. It was my idea and you were only a vessel. I never said you will be a part of the execution.. All you are to do is be glad that victory is won and the idea is enforced to my glory. Don’t try to claim the glory for yourself and hence tell that Jezebel spirit whispering into your ears to back off.

The values that he instills and nurtures in me propel me to action. Through both my values and these actions, I become salt and light:
* I endeavor to make a positive impact on everyone I meet and everywhere I go.

* I am a solution provider and not a part of a problem.

* I am a role model, worthy of emulation.

* I do the best I can - in all I do - particularly in what I am naturally good at, all by the help of the Holy Spirit.

* I value time and make the best use of it.

* I do not let my day pass me without working on my purpose that I came here on earth to do.

* I care for the soul well being of all I come in contact with through my life, words and action.

* I live a life of integrity and honor.

* I make my God, family, friends, nations proud.

What are your values? What motivates, directs and sets boundaries around your actions? Why do you do what you do? Do your values have eternal impact? How salty is your saltiness? How uncovered and bright is your light?

Raly Ewemie is a devoted Missionary - with over a decade work experience in different countries across the globe. She’s the brain behind www.reflectinghisbeauty.org, a website that enriches people with Godly values and supports Missionaries in their work for God. She’s based in Abbotsford BC, Canada. E-mail: raly@reflectinghisbeauty.org