Mattering—the title caught my eye.

Yesterday I read a review of Jennifer Wallace’s new book. The author makes a point we emphasized many times at Woodland Church: every new person who walks in for morning worship, Elevation, or a small group is silently carrying two questions:

Will you love me?

Will you accept me?

In other words, do I matter to you?

We show people how much they matter to God by showing them how much they matter to us. That’s something the church can—and should—excel at doing.

God sent His Son because He loved the world so much that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life (John 3:16). In Christ, we learn something life-changing: we matter to God. And because we belong to Him, we matter to one another.

One of the great teachings of the Bible comes from Genesis: people are created in the image of God. Sin marred that image—robbing humanity of something vital, life-giving, and loving. Yet God saw us in our need, and He also saw what we could become.

Jesus saw people that way.

In Luke 19, He looked up into a tree at a man who was small in stature—and small in heart. Zacchaeus was curious, but insecure. Successful, but greedy. Despised by the crowd, dismissed as beyond hope.

But Jesus saw what Zacchaeus could be.

Jesus stopped, looked up, and invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ home. Zacchaeus scrambled down and welcomed Him joyfully. Meanwhile, the crowd grumbled:

“He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner” (Luke 19:7, NLT).

The crowd saw a sinner.

But Jesus saw a saint.

It wasn’t long before a new Zacchaeus emerged from that house—free from insecurity and greed, filled with something vital and life-giving. That’s what forgiveness does to a person.

Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said:

“I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” (Luke 19:8, NLT)

Zacchaeus knew he mattered.

Zacchaeus knew he was loved by God.

Our neighbors, co-workers, and classmates have needs just below the surface of what we see. Behind a smile may be discouragement. Behind confidence may be fear. Behind success may be loneliness.

So be encouraging by paying attention—by noticing people’s needs, interests, and hurts. And trust the Holy Spirit to give you discernment and wisdom to show them they matter.

We bear witness to God’s love manifested in Christ. God has given us new life. His Spirit dwells in our hearts. He opens our eyes to see people the way Jesus sees them.

And He calls us to take an interest in others and show them they are loved and accepted:

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4, NLT)

My prayer for you and me is that when people meet us they know they matter to God. They should also know they matter to us!

Peace!