ALTOGETHER VALUELESS
The vessel maneuvered through turbulent waters with Lieutenant Joseph Ives at the helm. The 1858 expedition was the first military boat to venture into this area, and among the first white settlers ever to view the site. Ives journaled, “This region we last explored...is, of course, altogether valueless. It can be approached only from the south, and after entering it, there is nothing to do but leave. Ours has been the first, and doubtless will be the last party of whites to visit this profitless locality."
Believe it or not, Ives was describing the Grand Canyon! That takes the adage “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” to a whole new level. Imagine being among the first Caucasians to view the Grand Canyon’s splendor, and your only comment is, it’s “altogether valueless.” The five million tourists who journey to the site annually attest to the sheer foolishness of the Ives’ assessment!
That got me thinking. How often do we allow others to determine our value? The world is filled with people ready to criticize and condemn, taking the role of Lt. Ives and declaring us "altogether valueless." Satan piles it on, by whispering lies to us, attempting to convince us that we don't matter to God. Know what's crazy? We listen, and even buy into it, although they are totally unqualified to define us.
Contrary to Ives' opinion, the Grand Canyon possesses priceless inherent value...simply because it exists. The same is true of us. Each of us is uniquely designed by God (Psalms 139:13) and created in his image (Genesis 1:27). God calls you his "masterpiece" (Eph.2:10), valuing you so highly he was willing to sacrifice his Son's life, so you could live with him (I Peter 1:19). Yet how quickly we forget our identity, allowing others to determine our worth.
So here’s the question: Whose opinion are we going to listen to? The "Lieutenant Ives" of this world, or our Creator who died for us? Not everyone’s opinion is of equal value, and some opinions we should flat-out ignore! Ultimately, God’s viewpoint is the only one that matters, regardless of what anyone else says about you. Life abounds with folks like Joseph Ives who fail to appreciate breathtaking beauty, even when it stares them in the face. But not our Creator. To him we are of immeasurable worth; quite the opposite of "altogether valueless."