We (I) often wonder, Does my life matter?
We look at the lives of others, usually those who are most visible because of their accomplishments, accolades, or accumulation, and seriously doubt if our life has or will matter.
Leigh and I just watched It’s A Wonderful Life for the 30th time, at least. One of the reasons this movie has endured for 68 years is that it speaks to this universal question – does my life matter to anyone or anything.
I’m sure you’ve seen this movie so I won’t explain the story except to repeat the key line spoken to George Bailey by Clarence.
“Strange isn’t, each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
Our lives touch so many other lives and, like George Bailey, we rarely get to see how or to what extent. Sometimes we catch a glimpse of what we’ve meant to someone by overhearing a conversation.
I want to share a few things that I’ve overheard from a few significant others in your life say about you.
Jesus, talking about you, said “I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit…” (John 15:16)
Does your life matter? Evidently so. You have been appointed, destined for a fruitful life.
The apostle Paul, talking about you, said, “Don’t get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time [you] will reap a harvest of blessing if [you] don’t give up.” Gal. 6:9 (NLT)
Does you life matter? Evidently so. The harvest of your appointed fruitful life is coming.
The Father, talking about you, said, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; [I] will rejoice over you with gladness; [I] will quiet you by [my] love; [I] will exult over you with loud singing.” Zeph 3:17
Does you life matter to God? Evidently so. The Father is pretty delighted with you.
Now let me tell you how your life matters to me:
Even before starting The Noble Heart 7 1/2 years ago, I focused my life in on helping people discover, develop and deliver their calling, the great work of their life, what they were born to do.
After leaving a ministry to start this new one, I found myself filled with passion and opportunity, and alone. In a gracious, transformative moment, God asked me how I desired to walk out this new journey, this new assignment.
And with His question, He drew my attention to two picture on my bookshelf behind me, asking, which represents the life you want – the picture of the men riding together or the lone warrior? I wanted a life of dreaming, creating, developing and offering with others.
You are that person to me.
Because you have allowed me to help you discover, develop and deliver your calling. In this way, you’re allowing me to do what I was born to do.
And, because you have enabled me, through your words and resources, to discover, develop and deliver this ministry. In this way you are enabling me to do what I was born to do.
Does your life matter? Evidently so and absolutely so!
In the words of Clarence the angle, “You see, you really have a wonderful life.”
You made me weep at the end of the video. You have helped me. Thank you. I pray for us and your work. I received a devotional last week that touched and affirmed me. It went like this: “God is up to something.” “There is a reason why you have gone through what you have gone through.” “Trust the process. He’s got you.” So, “keep going” is order.