As we launch into a new year, a new decade!, most of us give at least some thought to adjustments we need to make–some shedding, some pursuing. Self-examination is in order as to who we have been, who we are, and who we will be. This can lead to gut-level contemplation of our reason for existence. Just how important are you? Let’s consider that.
Since the beginning of mankind, every person in your direct ancestry bloodline through hundreds of generations had to survive and produce your subsequent ancestor in order for you to have been born. If any one of those ancestors had not produced your next ancestor, or had died childless, you would not exist. Therefore, your chances of being born were like one-in-a-million. Looking ahead, if you have children, you will likely be responsible for producing over 40 descendants in the next century–none of whom would exist without you. You will have made a major contribution in shaping their physical and spiritual character. What might some of those descendants accomplish for mankind? You are very important to God!
As in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life (you did watch it again didn’t you?), think of whose lives and what circumstances would not have had certain positive impacts had you not been a part of them? Even minor improvements you have made in the destiny of a few others will be your legacy for an inestimable number of generations. You are very important to God!
The minute you were miraculously born began a life that will never end. Your relatively momentary life on this planet will soon transition into eternal existence. I like the illustration of the line and the dot.
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The dot is your life on earth. It seems so brief and insignificant. Yet, it is the product of your ancestry and history over time represented by the line to the left of the dot. That line actually would extend off the page and for several yards relative to the time of your dot. The line to the right of your dot is your eternal life after death. It would actually extend off the page into the next county, next state, and around the world…and it would just be beginning. It never ends. You were born to live forever! Suddenly, that seemingly insignificant dot has significance beyond our comprehension. You are very important to God!
God tells us in His Word that He knows you more intimately than anyone else. He says He knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows the good, the bad, and the ugly of everything about us. He wants to give us personal peace. The God who created the universe gave us birth, knows everything about us, and still wants us to spend eternity with Him. Sadly, relatively few will have that privilege due to their own decision to disregard it. Those who do not give attention to their spiritual condition and God’s gracious invitation will still live eternally but tragically separated from Him. God is very important to you!
As you enter 2020, you could commit to nothing better than securing a personal relationship with Jesus if you haven’t settled that yet. If you are in that relationship, commit to growing in it and understanding more about just how important you are to Him. Much of your importance is in your sharing God’s love and desire for those important to you. Take time to meditate more on these truths by visiting https://terrythompson.org/eternity. This year, let’s renew our joy in how important we are to the One who created us to live for Him and how important He is to us.
Have a Happy New Year!