Has anyone ever told you, or implied, that you didn’t “deserve” something good? If someone has, you probably can remember it.  I certainly can.  We all can remember those moments because the idea of whether we deserve things (or not) gets to the heart of our insecurities.  We worry about whether we are worthy.  Are we worthy of having a good life?  Are we worthy of things like happiness, security or great relationships?

Sadly, the world reinforces this mistaken idea. How many times do parents say to their children, “You don’t deserve that toy.”  Or at work you might hear a colleague say that someone didn’t deserve to get promoted.

Let me let you in on a little secret: No one deserves what they have based on their own merits.  Bill Gates doesn’t deserve his wealth.  Beyoncé doesn’t deserve her fame.  President Obama doesn’t deserve his position.  None of those people are perfect.  They all have flaws, and they all sin like the rest of us.

Many people fail to live the beautiful life that they were meant to live because they feel like they don’t deserve it. For example, a young woman may not wait to find a wonderful spouse because someone told her that she wasn’t pretty.  So she settles for the first man who wants to marry her, even if he treats her poorly.  Or a young man many be very talented, but along the way someone told him that he wasn’t good enough.  So he settles for a job that pays the bills, and gives up on his dreams.  Both those people have allowed the world to convince them that they aren’t worthy or deserving of what they desire in life.

Some of us believe that our past sins make us unworthy of having a good present. We forget (or don’t really believe) that Jesus died specifically to wipe away those sins.  We don’t realize that if we merely ask for God’s forgiveness with a contrite heart, our slate will be wiped clean.  We don’t realize that we are worthy of a good life simply by being a child of God.

In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus says,

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” [emphasis added]

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “Only if you are perfect will you receive good things.” He doesn’t say, “Only those without sin will find.”  Instead he says everyone who asks will receive, and everyone who searches will find.  We don’t have to be perfect in order to receive God’s blessings.  God knows that none of us is perfect.  We simply have to be faithful and ask.

In this coming year, stop settling for a life that is less than what you desire. Don’t listen to parents, friends or family members who tell you that you don’t deserve the very best.  God, your Heavenly Father, wants you to have a beautiful, meaningful life here on earth.  In God’s eyes, you are more than worthy.  And His is the only opinion that matters.

In 2016, focus on fulfilling God’s plan for your life. Ask God to help you use your unique talents for the benefit of others.  Spend your time loving the people who are good to you.  Enjoy all the blessings that God has given you and wishes to give you.  Be a blessing to others.  You deserve to have an amazing year.