You Matter

Excuse me, may I have your attention please? Yes, you – the person reading this article. I need to tell you something very important: You make a difference. In fact, you make a really BIG difference is so many ways. Please read on and let me explain.

It’s a little odd but in the middle of a culture of which tells people they are the measure of all things, many people are truly humble about their place in the world. We could even say they are over-humble. They do not believe that they matter. Present or absent, here or there, their presence is simply irrelevant.

But every person does matter and no one is irrelevant.

You matter because you were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). It was only after God created everything else that mankind was made. He is the crowning achievement of God’s creative work. While we do share some characteristics with animals we have been given a superior position. The Bible never says animals were created in God’s image – only mankind. When God breathed into man the “breath of life” (Genesis 2:7), he endowed man with something special, namely a soul. You will live forever for that soul is eternal and cannot be destroyed.

You matter because your life is worth the death of God’s Son (John 3:16). I am not really sure that we will ever fully appreciate the death of Jesus. He was pure and holy, undefiled by sin (Isaiah 53) yet he was made to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because he took on himself the sins of the world he faced the ultimate penalty which was death and separation from God. This death set the stage for the greatest victory ever. He shook off the bonds of death and stepped forth from the grave (John 20:1-10). This entire ordeal was for you. You are special!

You matter because your reward is great (Revelation 21). If you were unimportant, irrelevant or just did not matter, no one would go to great lengths to provide a place of perfect and eternal rest for you. But Jesus promised to “prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). In some way, unknown to us now, Jesus has been making ready a place for those who love and obey him. If Jesus is working on your behalf now, doesn’t that mean something? Yes, it means you are very important.

You matter because you touch others as no one else can. When famous people die, throngs of people weep and mourn. None of us will see the outpouring of grief they do. However we mean much to our many friends and family members. They love us not for our perfections but in spite of our imperfections. Even when we have failed miserably, they love us. We are special to them. There is something in the way you talk or act that is unique and you are loved for it.

Because you matter, give your best in all you do (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Someone is always watching you. Someone is trying to imitate you. Maybe a child, possibly a spouse, someone is watching closely. What life will you show them? What if your children, seeing your example daily, grow up to be just like you? You are a pattern for someone.

What will they learn? Will they see godly priorities in your life? Is every decision made around God and with prayers to him? Is there a spirit of thankfulness to the Father in your life? Do you love the church that Jesus died for?  In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul wrote, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” His readers could see Christ in him. By following Paul they were following Christ. You are so special and through you others can see Christ if you let his light shine in you. Remember, YOU MATTER!