You are more than what you do and what you achieve. You are more than your worst days and you are more than your best days.
Let me explain.
Our fast paced world is driven by success, and success is not a bad thing in the right context. How can we be better, achieve more and make more? This is the underlined question that creeps up on us everyday as we work hard, strive for promotions and sometimes just try to get by. But, your success or failure should not determine your worth. Success is a wonderful thing, but it shouldn't gauge how we look at people or how we treat others or even ourselves.
I get so tired of people waving their achievements around like they really have any eternal worth. I am so happy that you have a college degree, but it doesn't make you any better than those that don't. It isn't a reflection of your character or your worth. I used to let it really bother me that I don't have a degree. I was a very studious student all through out school. I would even cry if I got anything other than an A. I worked my tail off. When the time came to decide what I would go to college for, I couldn't dream of anything other than ministry school. I felt so much pressure from the world around me to go to college, but I ended up graduating at 16 and going to ministry school directly after that. Here me out, education is so very important but for me nothing made my heart leap like sitting and learning about the heart of God and His word. At first I was worried that I wouldn't get a good job, but God kept saying, "Trust me, I am the one who will give you position and promotion." So, I trusted Him with it all, and I now have a great job that I love.
For me, it didn't take a college degree to get where God wanted me, it took trust. If God would have told me to go to college, then I would have. I followed His voice and I am going to continue to do so even when I may not "qualify" for what I am doing. But, even if I had all of the qualifications, certificates and requirements needed to "succeed" in this life, It still would not determine my value.
You don't need to make a certain amount of money or have a certain amount of medals to be of value and worth in the eyes of your Father. He takes you just as you are and makes you into something beautiful day by day. God can put you in any position even if you may not be qualified and He can promote you at anytime. Be diligent with what is in front of you and know that your heavenly Father knows your worth even when others don't think you have what it takes. Don't strive so much! Just do your best with what you have and trust that God will give you every tool to succeed further. The cool thing about trusting God with all of this is that when you do succeed, you realize that He is the reason why. What a beautiful testimony that God made the unqualified completely proficient and empowered to do whatever He has designed them to do. You see, its not just because you have the right certifications, its because you are of worth to God and He cares about every detail of your life. He will make your ways succeed if you will trust Him every step of the way. At the end of the day, all our certificates, all our striving and all our qualifications, wont mean a thing at the feet of Jesus. Focus your sights on heaven and all other things will fall into place.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." -- Matthew 6:33
"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." -- Proverbs 16:3