It is hard to respect — honor, esteem and value — all people without having a biblical foundation of self-respect.

I’m not talking about self-affirmation or a feel-good ego boost.

We need a genuine understanding of our true God-given, God-created identity. Before we can treat others honorably, we must first honor ourselves as children of God.

I have shoe boxes full of cards that my children and students have given me over the years, and these handmade gifts are still some of my most precious keepsakes. I know I’m not the only person who has a stash of sentimental knick knacks and cards cluttering one’s home.

You know the ones I’m talking about – your third grade clay pinch pot, painted neon green that still adorns your parents’ mantel. I think we cherish handmade gifts because they are fashioned in a personal and thoughtful way.

This is exactly how we were made too! Psalm 139:13-16, states,

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

We are God-made! He is the Master Artist, and you and I are His thoughtfully crafted creatures.The Scripture tells us God knew us before we were ever conceived, and the terms used to describe our making tell us that we are not afterthoughts, mistakes or merely bi-products of biology.

We are all fearfully (with great reverence) and wonderfully (marvelously) made by God Himself!

Athlete, how does this shape how you respect yourself? The truth always changes everything.

So instead of trying to bolster your self-image and identity through success, performance or worldly accolades, you are freed to respect your making.

You can rest in the truth that you are valued by God just the way you are.

Who God says you are:

Child of God – John 1:12 Heir – Romans 8:17 Made in God’s image – Genesis 1:27 Worthy – Ephesians 4:1

You are a child of God, heir to His kingdom, made in His image and worthy through the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ. This sounds very respectable to me — respect yourself!

A prayer to consider: Lord, I am made by You. Amen!