Question 1

How do I know that my life really matters to God?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 8:4-5What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.1 Corinthians 6:3Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.We know we matter to God because he created us in his image with inherent value and worth and has given us responsibilities in his Kingdom.Psalm 139:13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.We know we matter to God because he created us with loving care. He showed how much value he places on us by the way he made us.Matthew 10:29-31“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.”We know we matter to God because he says we are valuable to him.Galatians 2:20The Son of God . . . loved me and gave himself for me.We know we matter to God because Christ died for us so we could have a relationship with him forever.Psalm 119:37Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.We know we matter to God because he gives us his Word to guide our lives.Exodus 3:11Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”Moses thought he was too insignificant to do God’s work, but God saw great potential in him. We know we matter to God because, like Moses, he wants to accomplish great things though us. God can transform our insecurities into great accomplishments.Esther 4:16“And then, though it is against the law, I [Esther] will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”We know we matter to God by observing the example of Esther. She was only a young Jewish girl, but God brought her to a position of great influence in order to save her people. God uses even those with insignificant beginnings to fulfill his purpose and plan and bring about significant results.1 Corinthians 1:26Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.We need to remember that God often chooses to work through seemingly insignificant people and events to reveal his sufficiency, power, and glory.

Question 2

Do I have to be important for God to use me?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 1:26-31Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”Being significant in the eyes of the world may mean we are insignificant in God’s eyes. Being insignificant in the world’s eyes may mean we are significant in God’s eyes. God takes joy in choosing people the world considers insignificant to accomplish marvelous things for his Kingdom.

Question 3

What things does God consider most significant in this life?

Accepted Answer

Philippians 3:8-9Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I [the apostle Paul] have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.Knowing Jesus personally.Mark 12:29-31Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”1 Corinthians 13:3, 8, 13If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. . . . Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! . . . Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.Loving God and others.Acts 20:24“My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”Serving the Lord.

Question 4

How do I know if God is starting to do an important work in my life?

Accepted Answer

Zechariah 4:10“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”What may seem insignificant to us can be used by God in a great new beginning. God welcomes and celebrates new beginnings that move us toward a life of greater faithfulness to him and our embrace of his calling for our lives.

Insignificance