Valuable by Liz Carter
Why your value is not defined by how useful you feel.
How many times have I prayed “God please use me?” More than I can remember. A well meaning prayer, certainly. And one that rolls off the tongue easily if we’ve been brought up in the church and/or have a hunger for being part of his Kingdom work. “I want to be used by you Father, I want to serve you, use me to bless others” etc…
Valuable by Liz Carter (The Good Book Company, June 2023) breaks through the language of usefulness and shows us how unbiblical it is. Through many personal stories of how dangerous this language can be, and several poignant examples of how easily we can slip into it, this book drew me up sharp. “Yikes,” I muttered several times while reading it.
I had never considered how “God uses us” language would sound to someone who has been used and abused by a parent, partner or other. Do I want people to think of God the way they think of their abusers? Since reading this book, I have begun to notice how often we use this language, without even thinking about it. I’ve heard it in church, on the radio, and in prayer meetings. Just within a few weeks.
Is it even true that God wants to use us? Liz takes us on a journey through the scriptures we might use to back this idea up, beautifully showing how the heart of God is not to use us but to transform us. Yes, we can be partners in the gospel with him, but he is not using us, he is enjoying our partnership. He calls us into relationship, not servitude, and if we are to have servant hearts (after all, Paul takes about being a slave to Christ, Eph 6:5-7, 1 Cor 7:21-23) it is so we might do the will of God from our hearts. Those verses were written specifically for former, or current slaves in the Roman Empire and were intended to bring them freedom of heart, “For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person…You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.”
I wonder how much of our obsession with usefulness for the Kingdom is due to being slaves to human beings i.e. the expectations of others, rather than submitting to Christ. Many of us spend a lifetime seeking to serve him, but forget that what Jesus says is the one thing needed. “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41) If we truly submit to Jesus, we will find not condemnation but what Liz describes—freedom to be “liberated into utmost you.”
One continual refrain within this book is that of the upside-down kingdom. In our Sunday school, we sing a song “We’re living in a topsy-turvy kingdom, and inside-out, upside-down, Topsy-turvey kingdom. Where the words of Jesus turn all things the other way around.” (© 2000 Daybreak Music/Elevation) I’m so glad we sing this song. It’s about acting differently to the world, but what a principle to extend to our children. It is time we broke out of the language of usefulness, assuming we need to be useful to God to have value. God loves. He chooses. And he usually chooses the second son, the weak things, the broken vessels, the prostitutes, tax collectors and convicts. And he chooses to transform because he loves us, not so he can use us. God doesn’t need us—he’s perfectly capable of doing everything himself. But he wants us.
One story from this book which will stick with me for a long time is the one about Louise. Louise has thought about going to church, but she is worried because she needs a shower and can’t pay the electricity bill. She stays for coffee after church because she’s hungry and there are cakes. She watches as everyone crowds around a new family who look polished and perfect, a teacher and architect with adorable children. Useful people. Those gathered ask the family if they need anything, while Louise stands there in desperate need, but ignored. Then she sneaks out the back.
I’ve summarised something Liz writes far more eloquently, but hopefully you get the point. I hope this is something you’ve never witnessed, but I fear it is all too common. Have you ever been excited when new ‘capable’ people come to your church? Have you ever feared leaving a church and going to a new place because “they won’t cope without me”? Have you ever overlooked exactly those people Jesus would have gravitated to? Have you ever been through a time of sickness, depression or poverty and felt useless?
This book is very challenging. And not just challenging, but stunningly written. Liz’s skill as a storyteller and poet is woven in throughout, creating something more breathtaking than your average non-fiction book. She speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt useless and she brings hope, showing us the true heart of God and pointing us to our glorious, beautiful Saviour. And yet (if you’re reading this and concerned about this point) it is not me centred. It is Bible-centred. She includes a reflection guide at the back so you can grapple with the scriptures yourselves, checking if she’s right and examining your own heart before God.
I thoroughly recommend this book as a timely interruption into our productivity-driven christian lives. Please take the opportunity to read it and explore the truths within as you sit at Jesus’ feet.
I’m useless, I say, I am Nothing. My soul churns the words and They spatter through my mind, Daubed by a hundred ruinous brushes Painting society’s whispers and my own failures Across the landscape of my life. But I take a step forward, Dare to trust a new journey Where hope writes the lyrics and Peace plays the melody. Where I run into a new story Of freedom and triumph. Where use gets blotted out by perfect love And I dance through golden avenues Of upside-down glory. Poem from 'Valuable' by Liz Carter © The Good Book Company 2023, Used with permission.
Liz Carter is a writer and poet who lives in Shropshire, UK, with her vicar husband and their children. She suffers with a chronic lung condition which sometimes puts her in hospital or prevents her from leaving the house for days or weeks. But she is passionate about Jesus and the hope that he brings! Her other books include Catching Contentment: How to be Holy Satisfied and Treasure in Dark Places, a collection of poems and stories.
Valuable is available at all good book stores but is currently available for an introductory 15% off at https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/valuable