“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” – Matthew 10:29-31

I think the most pervasive form of human suffering is a sense of worthlessness.Not all of us are homeless or addicted to drugs, but we’ve all known some level of suffering. At some point all of us have felt worthless, whether as a whole or in an area of our lives.After years of struggle, our guests often feel like they have nothing to offer or contribute. Whether it’s intentional or implied, the people in their lives — and sometimes society as a whole — affirmed the belief that they have no value.

But that’s simply not true.

Part of our mission is to help our guests regain a sense of worth. We want them all to know that they have infinite value because they are made in the image of God, and that their circumstances don’t define their identities.When you believe you have worth, you treat people better. Value is contagious.Every day on campus, we have more than a hundred people who want to give back — they want to contribute. But living under the conditions of homelessness, poverty or addiction creates cycles that take time to escape. There is rebuilding that must occur.Before they can get back to work, they must come back from the margins and relearn what it means to be part of society. And that’s not easy.We have work programs here on campus that make people feel good about themselves. Every day, men and women successfully complete a variety of tasks and take personal responsibility for their work. For many of them, it’s for the first time in decades.Our guests have the opportunity to learn the skills and the knowledge they need to get back out there. Because being able to give back and contribute gives you the sense that you do have worth. It’s the place that hope and restoration have a chance to grow.

It’s about so much more than work.

The Bible talks about the renewing of the mind. The seeds of that renewal can be planted in such simple ways. That growth can start with a single thought: “You know what, I have something in me. I have something to offer. I think I can do it.”That’s the message we want to send here. We want all of our guests to know that there is something good inside of them. They all have something to offer, and we want to help bring that out of them. So they can do something so much more meaningful than find a job or get back into housing.They can find their worth.* SRM Work Director Tyler Peoples contributed to this article.

Consistently provide nutritious meals, a bed and compassionate care for neighbors in need by becoming a Good Samaritan Sponsor today! For just $25 a month, you’ll help transform the life of a homeless man or woman in Colorado Springs.