Most of us want to know if our lives have a purpose and if we will we make a difference. But who decides this? Are we the judge, is society?
Our limited knowledge of the future or the extent of our influence makes it impossible for us to determine our purpose or if our life is making a difference.
According to the world, our value depends on our ability to work and the opinions of others. However, what is acceptable and expected is in a constant state of change from one year to the next, from one generation to the next.
Each of us is made unique, on purpose, by our Master Designer, Jesus Christ. Therefore, He is the only one who knows our purpose and our realm of influence.
Let’s think of it like this. What if a violin wants to play a masterpiece at Carnegie Hall? What if a piece of clay wants to become a beautiful vase in the Oval Office of the White House? Can either accomplish their desire in their own strength or ability? How do they even know that is their intended purpose?
The violin is a musical instrument, but it can only make music in the hands of a musician. A lump of clay is dependent on the potter who controls the wheel. Remember our Designer is the only one who knows what we were designed to do. We were made dependent by design.
Let’s consider the writer of this popular song, John Newton. He was a heartless slave trader and a shrewd businessman. He lived an evil life with little care or concern for any man. His Designer, however, knew what he was and had a plan for his life. Through events beyond Newton’s control, when he thought he was facing death, he cried out to God for help. At that moment grace moved in, Jesus saved his soul and John’s life was used for God’s glory.
Beethoven had a difficult childhood and at a young age, he began to lose his hearing. After he became deaf, Beethoven continued to write music and became one of the most famous and accomplished composers in history.
Agatha Christie was homeschooled, and many believe she struggled with dyslexia. She had a terrible time with spelling. Despite this problem, she became a renowned fiction author. Guinness World Record lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, and her novels sold more than two billion copies.
The parents of Albert Einstein thought he was retarded because he did not talk till he was four years old. In school, he was a slow learner and had a very poor memory. He was unable to remember dates or his own phone number. Even remembering how to tie his shoe was a challenge. Yet, in 1921, he won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
When Nicholas Vujicic was born his mother refused to hold him. Her son did not have arms or legs and his family struggled with his condition. But in time, they accepted him as God’s gift and believed God had a plan for his life.
Nick also struggled and wrestled with why he was different from the other kids. At one point, he even tried to commit suicide. At the age of fourteen, Nick met Christ as his Savior and he began to see the purpose of his life.
Today, Nick is married and has four beautiful children. He is a world-renowned motivational speaker and has shared his faith with more than four hundred million people. His unique difference was a divine plan that enables him to have a powerful testimony for Christ.
Our society would not consider any of these well-known people to be normal and would cast them to the side as without value. However, no one could have known how valuable their lives were and the plan God had for them.
So, back to our original question. Does your life matter and who decides? Most definitely YOUR LIFE MATTERS! Each of us was designed unique on purpose and regardless of what makes us different, our Lord has a purpose for it. Don’t look to the world around you to determine your value, but rather, look to the One you created you. He loves you unconditionally and took great care in forming you to bring Him glory. Accept who you are in Christ and by faith, fulfill your destiny. You will make a difference.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV).