Intentionality: Affirmation Of Validation

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Personally, I like S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects more than the English or Literature. In S.T.E.M., you’re presented with a problem and your objective is to provide the solution. I loved the fact that in most cases, there is only one solution and there’s a clear cut method to get to the solution. 

The more advanced you get in those subjects, you’re often given the task to write proofs, or validate that the method you used to solve the problem works no matter what real world problem you’re presented with. 

We’re understandably in an era of seeking truth...about the state of the economy, or maybe the state of our relationships. The problem is there’s never a clear cut answer. Everything is subjective and the state or one thing most times depends on another. 

Sometimes it feels our our confidence...our self esteem...our self worth gets wrapped up in the subjective. Our worth depends on who said what about us. It depends on if we get the right job or promotion. It depends on if a certain group of people accept us or include us. It’s feels great when we’re picked for the team or when the guy or girl chooses us. It makes your confidence soar. It’s validating. Makes us feel worthy for sure. 

Of course something or someone...or a series or somethings and/or someones, comes to test that confidence, validation, and worth. They come to make us wonder if the things we’ve accomplished, or even our lives are valuable. Suddenly we’re questioning everything from our looks, the direction of our lives and in serious cases, our very purpose on this Earth. 

Truth is, when you don’t have a foundation to base your worth and value on, your feelings about yourself will always fluctuate. Whether no foundation or a shaky, when there’s nothing to hold or keep your worth together, you tend to see people run to jobs or relationships to fill in the cracks. 

Here’s another hard truth.  That job? That man or woman? Those relationships or lack there of? They were not created to be the base of your confidence, validation, and self worth. 

When your validation is built on a firm foundation, there’s less need for any kind of human affirmation. I’m learning that a compliment, promotion or recognition is nice, and it’s good, even biblical to build others up. But even if no comments, notices, or expresses it; my foundation is sure. My foundation tells me I’m loved, I’m special, and every detail of my appearance, personality, gifts and talents were made on purpose, for a purpose. 

Slowly the validation from others begin to not matter as much...some not at all. 

That’s what I want for everyone. When someone says to “stand in your truth,” I pray your truth is built on a solid foundation. That your core beliefs about yourself don’t change whether something or someone is speaking positive or negative things over you. When all is said and done, only one Man and one Truth validates everything I am and everything I’m called to be. That is what I want for you. And that is what I’m choosing to rest in.