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Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Valued vs. Valuable

Last night, my husband and I had an interesting discussion about the difference between what is valued and what is valuable. 
 
Things that are valued are variable depending on the times and culture in which you live. At the present time, being tech savvy is more valued than the ability to grow food. Someone who develops an app for the Apple iPhone is considered more worthy than a farmer who grows real apples. Consumers prefer forms of entertainment that distract rather than inspire. Current music, books, movies, TV shows, sporting events, and leisure activities are appealing diversions, yet rarely influence deep thought or positive change. Leadership abilities are highly esteemed, while servant hearts are not. Ambition, acquisition, and accumulation are honored more than generosity, humility, and compassion.


Valuable characteristics are enduring and constant—sustaining and nurturing all of creation. Sunlight, clean water, fresh air, fertile soil, health, love, a sound mind, fairness, peace—these things have been cherished by every culture in every century. Timeless values are beneficial and all-encompassing—rarely profitable to one group while detrimental to another. 

When making any choice, when weighing any option, it might be helpful to distinguish between what is valued and what is truly valuable—between that which is temporary and that which is eternal.

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