Three great fears tend to worry the sons of Adam:  “Do I matter?” “Do I belong?” and “Am I able?”   While modern culture tells us we’re merely “dust in the wind”, the Kingdom answers all three questions with a beautiful richness that is absent from any other philosophy, science or religion.

Do I matter?   Aren’t we all aching to know that our lives matter; that we’re more than spare parts to a great machine we call the universe? To this question, Jesus made the delightful observation that we are so valuable to the Father that “Even the very hairs on your head are all numbered”.  (Matthew 10:30)  In a universe where not a single sparrow falls without his notice, we are the crown of His creation, made in His image and created to leave an eternal mark on the world.  In fact, so precious are we to him that Jesus crossed all worlds, entered our darkness, shared our sufferings, and redeemed us at a staggering price.  The Kingdom assures us that not only do we matter, but everything we do matters; that even a cup of cold water given to a thirsty child in the name of Jesus is noticed and valued by the Father.  (Matthew 10:42)

Do I Belong?   Most of us easily default to feeling like cosmic orphans, searching for a place to belong.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:4-5 that “Even before he made the world, God … decided to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”  We are not an afterthought to God!  He has had us in his heart since before creation itself, awaiting the moment when he could adopt us into His circle of Trinitarian love!  We are His pearl of great price for which he sold everything.  And now we have been included in his large and glorious family! 

Am I able?  “Do I have what it takes?” This is where the Spirit shines so beautifully.  The full work of redemption didn’t stop with forgiveness.  It was completed on Pentecost when God returned by His Spirit to live once again in his sons and daughters as he had in Eden.  Abba’s aim from the beginning was to win us back, flood us with His life and fill us with His power!  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”  (Acts 1:8)  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to the Father.”  (John 14:12)  There is much left to be done in this world, and the Spirit makes us equal to the task!   So yes, we ARE capable…  “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord!”  (Zechariah 4:6)

The sons of the Kingdom understand that they are loved, included, and designed to make a difference in the world.  And that is a message of hope our friends are waiting to hear!