Epic Family,

There have been so many things that have lost value in this season. My gym membership has absolutely no value to me right now. My Clipper card (that I’ve used daily for years to ride BART) has not been used since March. How about for you? What has lost value in your life? Maybe you have a ton of airline miles, but they just aren’t that useful in this season. Perhaps you have season tickets to the Giants, but the team is playing in front of zero fans, unless you count those cardboard cutouts that I know some of you paid for. 

While so many things have lost their value in this season, I hope some other things have become more valuable. Though we can get tired of each other, I’m thankful that my time with my family has become way more valuable for all six of us in this season. There are other things that I used to take for granted that have become worth more to me in these months: a walk in my neighborhood each day, conversations with friends, the staff team I work with at Epic, and so much more. 

I am hopeful that some things will regain their value in our lives soon. At the same time, I’m convinced that most of us were placing a higher value on things that actually shouldn’t have been so valuable to us. And at times, we put things in the place that’s only reserved for God. When we put anything in the place that’s meant for God, we have created an idol. Here’s a great prayer to keep us from valuing things that aren’t so valuable:

Psalm 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

I hope that Jesus has become even more valuable to you in this season. I know there are so many terrible things that have happened in the lives of so many. I grieve over those things. But if this season has caused you to treasure Jesus more than before, I’m so grateful for that. If not, let me encourage you to spend some time thinking about how valuable Jesus is to us. Here’s one of my most favorite parables ever:

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

What are the good things in your life that you hope regain their value? God is able to restore what’s been lost. Ask Him to restore the good and valuable things that have been taken away from your life in this season.

Are there any idols you should remove from your life? Again, idols might be good things...they just don’t belong in the place reserved only for God. What are the things you’re asking to do for you that only God can do for you? 

Let Jesus be the greatest treasure of your life. In the parable above, Jesus said that his kingdom is worth so much that we should be willing to give up everything to get it. Not only that, he said that we should do it with joy. Sometimes I allow the opinion of others to be too valuable. And I can also treat my possessions as more important than they actually are. But you and I will never treat Jesus as more valuable than He is, because that is impossible to do.

One of the things I’m praying for God to restore is my ability to be with all of you in person. Until then, I am here for you and I will not lose hope that our future is bright.

Much Love,