You matter. You matter as a person. God loves you. If you had been the only person on earth, He would have sent Jesus to die for your sin.
First and foremost, you matter not because of your ministry. Not because of your "performance" as a Christian.
Jesus sent out the disciples to do ministry. They came back excited about the work that God had done through them. In response, Jesus said...
"See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus loves you not for what you do, but for who you are. You are His child. You are the object of His affection.
You matter just because you are you.
Let your main source of joy be what God is doing in you, not what God is doing through you.
Let your main source of joy come from who you are in Christ, not from who you are in ministry.
Let your main source of joy come from what God thinks about you, not from what others think about you.
You matter.
What you do matters...a lot.
You matter to your church. You matter in God's kingdom. You matter to the kids and parents in your community.
Your teaching matters.
Your rocking babies in the nursery matters.
Your greeting matters.
Your ministry with kids matters.
Your ministry matters because 85% of people come to Christ before the age of 18.
Your ministry matters because in the race to a child's heart, the first one there wins. (George Barna)
Don't listen to the whisper that says "You are not making a difference. The kids and parents aren't even listening to you. God can't use you."
Instead, listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit saying you matter and what you do matters...a lot!
You won't see the full impact of how much you mattered until you get to heaven and can see more clearly. You'll see just how much God loves you and how He used you to make a difference in the lives of many, many children and parents.
Be encouraged today. What a privilege you have to serve a Heavenly Father who loves you and works through your life to help others.
Can I get an Amen? Share this with someone else who needs to be reminded of this.
You matter.
What you do matters.
A lot.