Maybe you've asked yourself the question, "Does my life really matter?"

I was talking to a friend recently who was reflecting on his life and career path as he now is looking ahead at the second half of his life. He mentioned that for many years in business he was always concerned about being successful and making the grade. He siad that he often thought about starting his own business but never 'pulled the trigger' because it was too risky and the fear of failure was too
costly. But, then, a few years ago he did 'pull the trigger' and now he looks at his life and he is not as concerned with being successful as he is with making a difference in this world. That comment really made me think.

Having a significance in this world might be one of the most important values a human being possesses. Recently, our worship director Josh reminded us of a question he heard which challenged him about our church. The question was "If CCC was gone tomorrow, would anyone notice?"
If you really broke down the question, you can look at it in two ways. First, how are we as a collective body of Christians seeking to make a difference in our community? And that is a big emphasis this ministry year as we seek to see the gospel advance in our community. But since the church is made up of individual believers, we could also ask ourselves "How am I personally seeking to make a difference in my family, neighborhood, and workplace?" This is what is challenging my own heart to look more closely at my own life and evaluate it.

God's truth tells us that we are all made in God's image and that alone makes us valuable above all other living creatures on this planet. Then, to be pursued, loved, and adopted into the family of God even when we were enemies of the cross is even a greater display that we matter to an infinite, all-powerful yet personal God. But to make a difference in this world and leave an eternal mark seems just what Jesus was telling his disciples in John 13 as he says "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Loving others well in the power and strength that Jesus provides is HUGE.

Loving my beautiful wife and three precious daughters is not always where I am successful at loving those around me. Maybe you can relate?! Just this past Saturday, I asked the family to come help me do some yardwork for an hour or so. While we were working, there was a disagreement between my daughters and I quickly stopped the argument in an unloving manner and set the tone for the hour that was not so pleasant. I had to go back and ask my daughters for forgiveness and let them know I love them unconditionally. But, I quickly forgot my failure to love well. Later, my wife goes and makes great effort buying some needed groceries for the week. Unfortunately, upon her return, the first response I give is a complaint about forgetting to buy the pretzel chips I had asked for!
If you're anything like me, it is all to easy to lose sight of what it means to love those around me every day, especially those closest to me.

Even though I am a pastor who seeks to use my gifts for God's service, I am reminded of 1 Cor. 13 that says "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." When I love others in this world with Jesus' love, my life truly does matter.