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| January - February 2008 | Volume 57, Issue 1 |
You Matter to God
There's been a lot written recently on whether those of us living in Pennsylvania are relevant, at least whether we are relevant to the upcoming decision on who will be the nominees for president. Last year some in the state urged the date for our primary to be moved up so that we might matter. Since that has not happened the Morning Call has encouraged people to "pretend they matter" and participate in their poll to make their choice for nominees known.
It occurs to me that some might have the attitude that they don't matter when it comes to the church and what they believe. Some think that it doesn't matter if they don't worship. It doesn't matter if they give a pittance in the offering plate. It doesn't matter if they see church as only something to do at Christmas or Easter. It doesn't matter if they live their lives in such a way that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not revealed by their actions.
Well truth be told, if we believe the scriptures, our actions related to our faith do matter. It matters to each of us as individuals because focusing our actions on serving God in all that we do and say helps us to embrace the gift of grace we have received through Jesus Christ. Paul cautions us that even though our salvation is the result of God's kindness, we ought not take that kindness for granted; essentially reminding us that our salvation comes to us from God. (Romans 11:22) Thus we can consider that the gift of God is not to be simply acknowledged, but to lead us to reject those things that are contrary to God's will and lead us to true repentance. (Romans 2:4)
Likewise, our activities of faith matters to the community we call the church. Again Paul teaches us that each of us matters in the life of the church (read Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12). The church is made weaker when its members believe they don't matter. All of us are needed for the vitality and mission of the church. This ought not to make us feel overly important, rather it reminds us that all of us are important to God and thus are important to each other. Therefore we ought to cherish those gifts we have been blessed with and use them to further the work of the church to share the gospel of Jesus Christ within our walls and beyond.
Presidential politics aside, let me assure you that you do matter. You matter to God and you matter to the church. Make your presence, your prayers, your gifts and your service known so that together we might truly make a difference to the ministry that God has called us to as individuals and as the body of Christ, the church.
