When I was growing up there were the football stars, the class Valedictorians, you know the people everyone wanted to be around. At work people want to be around the high producers, the people of influence. We even see this in church where people are drawn to the Bible scholars & powerful prayers. In all walks of life there are people who are in the “light” of attention. This can cause a person to feel insignificant. But to God, “Every Soul Matters!” In fact, all creation matters to God. God has the unique attribute of using the overlooked and least considered.

Let’s look at something you probably never thought about, Zinc. We are familiar with “Oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen being the most abundant elements in the body by weight and make up about 96% of the weight of a human body.” These are the stars of the show…the most known. But what about little old Zinc? Is it important? It only makes up “.0003% of the body”. Guess what? “It is essential to both plants and animals?” Google “Zinc is a crucial micronutrient for both plants and animals, playing a vital role in various biological processes including growth, development, enzyme function, and immune response, making it essential for their overall health and proper functioning; a deficiency in zinc can significantly impact their development and survival.” Google. This is an intentional Principle of God.

This same Principle shows up in the Bible over & over. There was Nehemiah who described himself as a cupbearer, yet God chose & enabled him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. But that’s not all. He had to organize, train, and lead the men in combat while they rebuilt the wall. God could have selected someone with building experience or a warrior, but He chose a mere cupbearer. God has a purpose for everyone & everything. See Jerimiah 29:11-14.

One of my favorite overlooked people of the Bible is Gidion. Because Israel had walked away from God, Israel came under oppression of the Midianites. Let’s listen in on a conversation with God & Gideon found in Judges 6:14-15, “The Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” What followed, found in Judges 7, was exactly how God works. Gideon showed up with his 32,000 men ready to face the 135,000 Midianite army. It’s right here that God highlights His uniqueness. God told Gideon he had too many soldiers. In a very Godly way, He reduced Gideon’s army down to 300. But that was not all. God instructed Gideon to use trumpets & torches to bring defeat to the mighty Midianite army. Once again God’s ways are much different than our ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9).

Nothing is insignificant. Take the people Jesus recruited. You know the simple fishermen, hated tax collectors…the ordinary, overlooked men that Jesus anointed, and the Holy Spirit equipped to change the world. With Jesus, “Everything Changes!” He is the transformer! Jesus chose Peter who had a record of failures, who was unschooled (Acts 4:13) to be the first leader of His church. Jesus transformed Paul, the one that persecuted Believers to be His scribe who would go on to write much of the New Testament. Listen to Paul as he reveals God’s Power that enabled him “Press On” when he was beaten & left for dead, jailed, stoned, and mocked. He said,” I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him (Christ) who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 This is worthy of repeating, “I can do all this through Him (Christ) who gives me strength.”

In Luke 15 Jesus gives us the parable of the “Lost Coin” and the “Lost Sheep” that illustrate His heart. “Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Like 15:6-7. No one is overlooked or is insignificant to Jesus. Jesus died for each one of us that we might have eternal life with Him. We are just that valuable to the King of Kings.

If you think you are too messed up for Jesus, think again. As Jesus was finishing His work on earth, hanging from His cross, He had this conversation with the thief on the cross next to Him. The thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:14-15. Everything changes when we focus on Jesus and not ourselves. You matter to the Creator. Does He matter to you?