I don’t know about you, but I love a good deal. I went to a yard sale several weeks ago and saw a foldable children’s picnic table. I had seen them in the store and had considered purchasing one for my girls, but at $50, I just couldn’t justify the price.

When I asked the man how much, he casually replied, “Coupla bucks?” I was dumbfounded. “Two dollars?” I asked. “Sure,” he said. SOLD! I hoped my face was not giving away the thrill I felt inside. My payment made, the table folded up and in the back seat of my car, I slipped away as though I had just stolen the crown jewel.

“It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth." (I like to call Proverbs 20:14 the ‘yard sale verse.’)

We only pay for things when we believe they're worth the cost. Amusement parks will charge five dollars for a bottle of water. Five whole dollars for water—outrageous! But as you might notice, a lot of people are willing to pay for it, ridiculous as it may sound. Why? Because on a hot day, with ‘no outside food or drink permitted,’ that five dollar water suddenly seems worth the price.

Other times, like my picnic table, things are priced lower than you would expect. The seller just doesn't see value in an item and marks it cheaply. I like Vera Bradley brand purses and bags and recently found a backpack at the thrift store. Most of the time, being name brand, they are priced high and a large piece like this would be tagged $25. To my pleasant surprise, this one was only eight dollars. But on closer examination, I could see why—it was dingy, dusty, and partially covered in cat hair. Still, the zippers all worked, the inside looked great and there were no major tears or flaws. So I took it home.

After a half hour or so of scrubbing and rinsing, I could tell I had a diamond in the rough. The grime was coming off and after a trip through the washing machine, I needed only to wait for the dryer to finish the work and I had a lovely, new-to-me, name-brand bag.

So what's the point? It isn't about bargain-hunting escapades.

There's something satisfying about getting more for less. A good sale on groceries, a yard sale bargain—nobody wants to pay more than they have to. That's why coupons and loyalty rewards are so popular. You get to redeem them—exchange something small for something of value. “Would you like to redeem your points for this reward?” “Earn cash back to redeem on your next purchase!”

And that word “redeem” has a rich meaning. Redemption is a beautiful picture in Scripture:

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: —Romans 3:23, 24

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; —Ephesians 1:7

Not only did God create you, He also gave His Son to redeem you. He saw so much value in you that He was willing to pay the highest price of the shed blood of Christ on Calvary. He didn’t get a discount or wait for a better deal. He willingly gave His life to redeem you to Himself.

Sometimes we have difficult days when we feel a bit worthless, don’t we? Could I encourage you with this thought? Like the overpriced water at the amusement park, God thought you were worth the price. Likewise, like the picnic table or the dingy purse—others may not see your worth, but God does.

God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:8

Even in our dusty, dingy, grimy state—He was willing to redeem us, even though the price was high. He didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up—He died for us while we were still in our sins.

That is where your worth comes from—not from your performance or appearance, but from the everlasting love of the One who redeemed you.

Psalm 139 says: O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me...there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether...How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:1, 4, 17)

If you ever doubt your worth, remember: to the One who knows you best—the One who knows even your words before you speak them—you are precious to Him. So precious, in fact, that He thought you were worth laying down His life for.

I hope this was a blessing. If you would like to read more, visit lightinthemargins.com or subscribe. I try to send an encouraging thought each Thursday morning.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lightinthemargins.substack.com