Without looking at one, take a pen and paper and start writing all the characteristics and uses of a United States penny that you can think of.

How many did you come up with? 10? 20? Now take out a penny and add to your list what you missed.

Did you come up with things like the minted year? Which direction is Lincoln facing? Depending on the year of your penny, what’s on the flip side? Did you know you can use a penny as a screwdriver in a pinch if you can’t find your tool? How many of you came up with a saying like, “a penny for your thoughts” or “a penny saved is a penny earned”?

The point is, you could list many, many characteristics of a penny if you wanted to. We typically view a penny as something mundane, worthless, and ordinary. We don’t typically think highly of it (if you’re older than 5 at least).

Now start thinking about yourself. What characteristics do you use to describe yourself? Write them down if you want to.
Is it harder to think of many? Are some of them negative? How would someone else describe you?

Now, here’s what’s most important. What does God think of you?
He thinks a lot about us and tells us so in his Word. Here are a few of those things and I encourage you to grab your Bible (or smart phone) and start looking up additional characteristics.

You are CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”  Genesis 1:27

You are FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. “I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

You are RIGHTEOUS. “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteous.” Romans 4:5

You are SECURE. “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:39

You are LOVED. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

You are CARED FOR. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Trust that God loves you and you are worth more than a pretty penny to him.