While watching two little girls, we were playing the “this many” game. The children were holding their tiny hands as close to my face as possible asking, “what’s this many?” Over and over, we played this game on repeat. During one of our many rounds, the youngest one held her hands in a fist, which represented the number zero.  “Zero means nothing,” she stated. 

How many people on a daily basis feel like a ZERO? No, I’m not talking about the pant size. If I were to guess, we have all felt like a zero at some point in life. We’ve probably been told that our opinion didn’t matter, or that have been told that we can’t sit with a certain group of people at the lunch table. Some of us have had words spoken to us that are now etched so deeply minds and hearts that the “zero” has become magnified. Feeling like a “zero” may be the emotion in the moment, but it does not mean that it is the truth. 

Zero means nothing? 

Did you know that zero is the only number that’s neither positive nor negative? When referencing time, “zero” means “now.” When you add or subtract zero to a number, the number remains the same. However, when zero is multiplied or divided by a number, the answer will always be zero. 

Zeroes are their own unique digit. They are one of a kind, and add significant value in the world of mathematics. Think about it. If you add a zero behind the number 1, it becomes the number 10. The number 10 become 100 if another zero is added behind it, and so on. Adding just one “zero” can enhance a number and change it into something greater. 

Y’all, we aren’t zeroes without meaning. In fact, zeroes are one of the most important digits in this world.  Zero does mean something. In this world, the person who is known as a Christian can feel like the biggest “zero” in society. We weren’t created by God to be like anyone else in this world anyway. John 17:16 says, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” If I’m honest, I don’t want to be a part of this world. I want to be different. I want to be my own unique person whose identity isn’t based in anything, but the truth of God’s word about who I am. In my lifetime of 20 years, I’ve had more than enough times of feeling like a “zero”. The most incredible thing is realizing that you’re His zero. 

Luke 12:7 says, “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” God is omnipotent. There is nothing that He can’t do in your life as long as you’re willing to let him. The fact that God knows the exact number of hairs on your head, the number of stars in the sky, and the number of grains of sand  on the shore should help you understand just how much you’re valued to Him even more. Every person on this Earth was born with a purpose. 

Psalm 139: 13-16 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Another amazing thing about zero is that’s where you started. You started at ground zero. God created you out of nothing and made you into something. The next time you feel like a zero, remind yourself that being a zero is way cooler than being a 5 or a 9. You are not limited by what others say of you. Your presence and opinions matter. 

Never feel alone or worthless. There are many more zeroes out there in this crazy world. Be a zero and be proud of it. Pair up with another zero. Then the two of you find another zero and just keep connecting. Zeroes help build His kingdom more than ever. 

He is the ONE you follow. Take your “zero” self, follow behind Him, and lead the way for others. The best life is a life of obedience and surrender. 

My favorite thing about life is that it comes in seasons. In this particular season of life, I am growing in the area of not being so serious, and learning how to have fun again. I am a planner, dreamer, and task-oriented person. Most of the time, I fall short of enjoying my current season of life because I’m too focused on trying to get to the next one. I am learning that it’s okay to not have your life completely together and rest in the complete unknown. I am practicing whole-hearted surrender of control, and laying my plans and dreams right in God’s lap. If we’re being honest, who truly knows what’s next in their life? God is ultimately in control of our lives. I have recently learned that no matter how much I plan or try to be in control, God will always do things the way He wants them to be done in my life. 

“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.”

Jeremiah 29:11 has always been on of my favorite scriptures to meditate on when new seasons arise. Right now, I’m clinging on to this verse and not letting go of it. 

Here lately, God has shown me that He holds my future in some mighty ways. With lots of prayer and guidance, my husband and I have made some big decisions based off of things that God has whispered in my heart. These decisions that have allowed me to do nothing but my all of my trust in Him and accept the fact that He holds my future in His hands.

• I have resigned from my job in the past month to allow me to focus on keeping my GPA up while I finish college, and began tutoring and babysitting again.
• My husband and I changed connect groups two weeks ago to become surrounded by amazing couples of God.
• I am changing my lifestyle to where I can get my body healthy again by not being lazy like I have been.
• I am prioritizing my family and relationships again, rather than having work or homework take first place.
• I am changing my mindset and thought patterns by thinking positively and not letting my emotions dictate me.
• I am becoming disciplined again and making new routines and getting up earlier in the morning.
• I am also changing the kind of wife that I am to my husband, because I have been able to recognize that he deserves a lot better out of me. He deserves the best me, and not the version that he has been getting lately. 

Correction and change don’t always settle well with me, but I am so content in this uncomfortable season right now of being challenged. I am at peace knowing that my days are filled with joy again. I am at peace knowing that I don’t have to be in control or know what’s next. I am expectant for the things to come that will be caused by this season of determination and obedience. I am filled with hope again knowing that I’m able to take care of myself and prioritize me for the first time in my life and learn to love myself again. 

Most of all, I can completely trust in the fact that God’s got me. Besides, God’s timing is perfect. He has me right where I need to be. I can trust that His plans for me are good, and He loves me with the most faithful kind of love there is!