Divine Connection: Finding Your Worth in an Age of Digital Pursuit

When I was in 10th grade, social media was this new frontier where our identities began to take shape. I remember following this girl on MySpace – carefully crafting my profile with just the right song, just the right quotes, hoping she might notice. Every notification became a moment of anticipation. Have you been there? That place where your heart races at the possibility of connection?

Then came that night at the local venue – lights flashing, music pulsing through the crowd. And there she was. Not just a profile picture, but a real person with depth and dimension far beyond what any digital platform could capture. When our eyes met across that crowded room, I felt God whispering, "This is why I created community – not for profiles, but for presence."

After working up more courage than I thought possible, I approached her. The conversation flowed easier than expected, and somehow, miraculously, I walked away with her number. But then something strange happened – something I've seen happen to so many of you. I froze. I stared at those digits and thought, "Why would someone like her give her number to someone like me?"

This is what we call imposter syndrome – that nagging voice suggesting you don't belong, you don't deserve, you're somehow fraudulent in your own story. But here's what I've come to understand: imposter syndrome is actually spiritual warfare. It's the enemy trying to convince you that God made a mistake when He created you with purpose and intention.

Young men, listen to me. Your value isn't determined by how many numbers you collect or relationships you pursue. Your value was established before creation, woven into your DNA by a Father who saw you before you took your first breath. When you approach relationships from a place of trying to "get" something, you've already missed the point of what God designed relationships to be.

And young women, your worth isn't measured by who pursues you or how many followers validate your existence. You are fearfully and wonderfully made – a masterpiece of divine creativity. Never compromise who you are for the fleeting attention of someone who hasn't earned the right to know the real you.

Here's the beautiful truth: relationships aren't about taking – they're about bringing something to the table. Back then, I didn't understand that getting her number wasn't about deserving it – it was about creating space for mutual growth. Real connection happens when two people show up authentically and contribute to each other's journey.

What does it mean to provide value? It means being the kind of person who leaves others better than you found them. It means listening without waiting for your turn to speak. It means encouraging dreams and challenging comfort zones. It means reflecting God's love in how you treat others, especially when no one is watching.

For the guys here today – pursuit without purpose leads to possession, not partnership. Ask yourself: "Am I pursuing her because of who she is or because of how being with her makes me feel?" True masculinity isn't about conquest; it's about creating safety where others can flourish. It's about becoming the kind of man who adds depth to her story rather than trying to become the main character.

For the girls – discernment is your superpower. You intuitively know the difference between someone who values you and someone who values what you represent. Don't silence that voice. The right relationship won't require you to shrink yourself or edit your dreams. It will call you higher, deeper into your purpose.

What I couldn't see in that 10th-grade moment was that God was using that interaction not just as a potential romance but as a mirror – showing me where I still needed to grow in confidence and identity. Sometimes the relationships that matter most aren't the ones that last forever but the ones that forever change how we see ourselves.

The most radical thing you can do in this culture of shallow connections is to bring depth. To look beyond profiles to see people. To value substance over status. To remember that in God's economy, we don't earn worth – we recognize it. And when we truly understand our worth in Christ, we stop questioning whether we deserve good things and start creating beautiful things that point others back to Him.

Pastor Mitchell Royel