8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Currently our church is in the midst of an emphasis on the community in which we are placed. We are calling this “You Matter” and urging our people to be on the lookout for those they can bless in their daily flow of life. This is brilliant. Many times, a church will make an event or a production and afterwards, the energy and effectiveness dissipate. When we look at the life of Christ, He never said “on this day, we are coming together and going here to do this“. He simply moved from urgent need to urgent need as He lived. His mission was interwoven into the fabric of life. There was no production, merely uncelebrated love. This is how we are to live.
When the gospel reality that we matter resonates within our soul, we see others as mattering to our creator God as well. When we matter, so do others. In this spirit, missions are simply a natural outward response to a supernatural inward change. When we follow Christ, compassion becomes a lifestyle over an event. Faith is never to be an island.
A few years ago, I heard a pastor describe this “You Matter” idea as “seeing others with Jesus eyes”. While this is close to WWJD territory, it calls us deeper to thoughtfully consider those around us, their needs, and how we can compassionately serve them. Any time we can get into the mind of Christ, we win. His ways are so different and so upside down to ours we must rely solely on His Spirit to guide and mentor us into His image.
Today, do you live like others matter? You matter to God, carry this to the world around you.
Lord, thank you for giving us worth. Thank you that you valued us enough to send your son. May we see others as Jesus does and may it compel us to act.
Matt simon blog 