“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them. ...And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:27, 31)

“Look at the birds of the air, ...Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

We have heard it countless times. “In the beginning” God created everything. Human beings stand out in God’s creation as the only ones created “in His own image.” We are unique among all that God has made.

Throughout the Bible, we learn of the immeasurable love God has for us and the value He places on us. Try as they may, no one can take that away from you or me. Jesus reinforces our unique position by affirming our readily-apparent greater value to God than other parts of creation. This is not to say God looks down on the rest. He called it all good. It is to accentuate the even greater value God ascribes to humankind. That love and value was underscored by His sending His Son to die for us (cf., Rom.5:8).

This is more than an abstract theological principle. It is intensely personal. Personal, because it impacts our self-understanding in light of the eternal God of the heavens and the earth who desires to be personally involved with you and me...and we with Him.

To look at this more closely and carefully, we will be hosting an Adult Class entitled “You Matter to God.” Guest speakers will help us explore particular issues under that heading. Starting the week after our Annual Parish Meeting and Luncheon, we will take five successive weeks talking about issues related to the unborn, chronically ill and disabled, poverty and hunger, depression and suicide, and end-of-life matters.

It is true. You matter to God. So do I. So does every other person, past, present and future. (Yes, even that one.) May you know that deep down inside today.

Warmly in Christ,
Dan