All of us grow up as dreamers—bright visionaries and believers of endless possibilities with a confidence and curiosity to conquer the world.

We grow up valuing our unique identities and talents, holding dear to our dreams, and shining ear-to-ear as we pursue our passions. But along the roads of life we inevitably grow weary as we encounter challenges and clouds of doubt and questions begin to form above our sky's-the-limits attitude.

Soon we're left to wonder alone inside: Is it really worth the time and risk? Are my dreams really worth the emotional drain?

A Re-Valuation

Sometimes in life people undervalue us—our workplace, our community, our family, and of course, even ourselves. But perhaps it's only because we all don't know the full story.

Matthew 26:14-15 tells the story of Judas Iscariot—one of Jesus' closest friends and allies—betraying Jesus to the chief priests for just thirty pieces of silver, the lowest price possible, the price of a slave.

Yet Jesus allowed Judas to sell him for nearly no value to fulfill Zechariah's prophesy and to shine into our times of doubt. He let us know if people like Judas undervalued Jesus, they would also undervalue us—His masterpiece and the extension of His great works. But Jesus tells us, "I value you and I've paid the ultimate price to show you the true value of your life and purpose."

When we re-evaluate our situation in light of His Word, we can believe in Him on account of His works that we are worth more than we give ourselves credit for these days. Jeremiah 29:11 should give us a holy confidence for the plans and purposes of our lives: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver to hang, floating in the gray sky as the extravagant price paid to give us a re-valuation in God's eyes. His work shows us the value of our God-breathed lives, dreams, passions, and talents, And He's telling us in John 14: Let my works lead you to faith, because whoever believes in me, will also do works that lead people to believe in me. In other words, our faith, drive, and dreams has the potential to shine life into the faith, drive, and dreams of all the people around us. That's a life worth valuing!

Floating Value.

A lukewarm life begins when we undervalue a dream, undervalue a purpose, or undervalue a talent. Once we start casting shadows on our lives, we start to see clouds crowd out our world. Suddenly what was once possible fades to questionable, what was once obtainable turns to impossible, and what was once our passion becomes overcast with illusion.

But what we have to remember is that there is always a silver lining around every cloud. As Christians, we can hold on to hope when there is apparent death, and we can get a re-valuation on our life, our identity, our purpose, and our dreams.

I know it's crazy, but I'll float the idea anyway: Could the gray clouds of doubt in our lives be focusing our eyes on the silver lining value from God?