From the moment we are born, we are surrounded by all sorts of leaders. Whether you find being led a reassurance or an inconvenience, you can’t avoid it. Some leaders are thrust upon us – our parents for example. Some we can choose: the church we choose to attend can often be a reflection of our feelings about the pastor/elders. Other leaders come as part of a package with another choice we’ve made: a particular job perhaps.

One of the biggest lies that society has believed is that the further up someone is on the organisation chart, the more valuable they are. Whilst leadership is really important, we can often think that the position someone holds determines the value they have as a human being.

This lie even exists in the church. We are guilty of “stage wonder”; believing that those who have a public facing role (pastors, worship leaders, etc) are the ones that matter most to God. They’re the ones that he prefers, much more than the “normal church people”.

The church in Galatia needed to hear this too. That’s why Paul writes “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” in Galatians 3:28. Now, diversity matters and should be celebrated; that’s not what this verse is saying. It’s saying that Jesus Christ makes us all one, the ground at the foot of the cross is level and we are all equally valuable to God, through Christ.

So, next time you feel like no-one would notice if you missed church, didn’t show up, or weren’t around, remember this: Value never comes from position. It comes from the person who made us, loves us and gave his life for us.