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Across the Pastor’s Desk by Jill Marin

Dear friend, do you ever feel like you are lost in a sea of faces? Sometimes, we can be going through life, with others all around, and feel so insignificant. Our thoughts and feelings are running through our heads, while other people are running around with seemingly no care about us or our existence. Many times, we can feel like we don’t matter and that it would make no difference if we were here or not. Nothing could be further from the truth!

You are special. You were created uniquely by God.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well… Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” — Psalms 139:13-14,16 NIV

No one else was created exactly like you. No one else has been through exactly what you have experienced. There is no one else like you — and that’s a good thing.

You matter. You are loved, and you have worth and meaning. So much worth, in fact, that Jesus gave his very life for you.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16

He laid down his life for you. That is the greatest sacrifice anyone can make. And, in 1 Peter 5:7, he says you can “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Yes, he cares for you.

You have purpose.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

I believe there is a purpose and a plan for your life that no one else can fulfill; just you.

Remember, no one was created exactly like you or has been through your experiences. You can help someone else through hard times as well.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” — Jeremiah 29:11.

His plans for us are always good.

You are not lost in a sea of faces. God sees you. He knows everything about you. You are special. You matter. And you have purpose.

God’s love is the foundation of it all. Walk in confidence with that assurance today.

Jill Marin is a pastor at Grace Christian Church in Albert Lea.