Watching television this morning, and a person has written a book. The book is about what we value in life. The author was of no ideology or religion. He was exploring in his own way what was essential to his life. As he had no religious training and followed no one path, I was very interested in what he had to say. His one comment that struck me was that he was looking for something that one would give one’s life for. He elaborated on this, saying it would be for him, his family, and his children.

As I listened to his presentation, I pondered just what people would give their lives for. Would you give your life for your new car, your job, the wealth you have acquired? I am sure most would answer their family, their children, perhaps the soldier would say his country. Others may find their religion or maybe some ideal or concept, such as freedom or giving their life to save others. There is no set answer to this question, but the individual answers are telltale as to what we hold as important to our existence on this earth.

Our current society is very much about things, stuff, or celebrities. The actual values in our lives have been hidden behind a commercial view of things for many years. But things and fame do not feed the soul. The soul is the abstract part of us that is God given and nourished on the truth. Truth, that monumental tower stands before us in our times, hidden from view by so much clutter. I will provide you with a few simple examples, look up a potato peeler on an internet store, and I found 55 different kinds of potato peelers. They all do the same thing: peel potatoes. It takes almost a day to decide which one. Go down the toothpaste aisle in a store. It takes one hour to see the many different types of toothpaste: one brightens teeth, one cleans your gums, and another is for sensitive teeth. Then there are the combinations of tooth brightener, gum protector, and sensitive types all in the same tube. There must be 30 different brands. Toothpaste has now become complicated.

Much of what we are sold is about our image. Image is important, but falls short in the long run in depth. Our current culture is without complexity and wisdom. Soul and the truth are backseat drivers to the here and now. There is a scripture about building your house on sand, which cannot withstand the storms. Our only life is given to us. To me, my life is given to learn the most critical and enduring concept, which is love. We all desire to be loved for who we are. Love is the great motivator of our lives, yet in today’s world, it has been given only one dimension by the acquisition of things. Do things make us happy? But happiness, if you have lived long enough, you find it can be fleeting. The actual value of love is based on the solid ground of sacrifice. Sacrifice is always based on an abstract value we cannot hold in our hands. Sacrifice is the truth of our life, and it is here that we find what we would give our lives for.

Ask yourself, what would I give my life for? What trade would I make for my life that has the most significant meaning to me? Is it your bankbook, your house, status in the community, or the job? What has the most significant worth in your life, your marriage, your children, or an abstract ideal? In the Reformation in our historical past, many gave their lives embracing a cruel death rather than give up their Faith or ideals. Life is worth living, but to stand for an abstract truth makes the sacrifice even more critical to the value of our human existence.

Jesus went to the Cross, died for us because He loved us. We should realize that Jesus thought we were worth His life. He died for us an awful death, to visually show us what each of us is worth to Him.

What would you die for? What is your life worth?