In a world obsessed with results, accolades, and recognition, it is easy to believe that our value lies in what we produce—or how others respond to it. But the truth is deeper and far more eternal: your worth is found not in your success or failure, but in your devotion to the path God has placed before you.
Consider the life of Vincent van Gogh. During his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in the late 1800s, he was plagued with self-doubt, mental anguish, and the fear that his art would never matter. In his letters, he wrestled with despair, often calling himself a failure. And yet, within those same walls, he created more than 150 paintings—some of the most celebrated works in history.
Van Gogh died believing his art had little value. Today, his paintings are regarded as priceless treasures, admired across the world. What changed? Not the art itself, but the world’s ability to see it. His devotion bore fruit long after he was gone.
This is the paradox of creation: we rarely know the true impact of our work in our lifetime. The seeds we plant may not bloom until decades, even centuries later. Which is why tying your worth to external validation is a losing game. What matters most is not the applause, but the devotion—the willingness to show up, again and again, for what makes you feel most alive.
Every act of creation is a form of communion with the divine. When you write, paint, compose, build, or dream, you are entering into partnership with God. The joy, fulfillment, and aliveness you feel in that state is proof that you are aligned with your soul’s calling. That feeling—not the outcome—is the real reward.
Success and failure are fleeting, but devotion endures. Devotion says: I will create even if no one sees it. I will sing even if no one listens. I will paint even if no one buys the canvas. I will write even if no one reads the words. Because the act itself is a miracle. The process itself is holy.
So, measure your worth not by the applause of the crowd, but by the sincerity of your devotion. Show up for your dream in seasons of abundance and in seasons of silence. Trust that every step, no matter how small, is sacred.
And remember: the world may not recognize your gift today, but God does. The true measure of a life is not in recognition, but in the courage to stay faithful to the calling that set your soul on fire.
