Ingrained in each person is a deep desire for our lives to have significance. We all want our time on earth to count for something, to know that we made a difference with the time we were given. We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

This desire is universal, and it supersedes cultures and time. The annals of history are filled with stories of people who fought, and often gave their lives, for a cause that surpassed their own life. The reason we see the need for significance as such a universal desire across humanity is because it was placed into the heart of mankind by God.

The Apostle Peter addressed this when he wrote, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

This passage gives us two incredible truths. First, we have been chosen by God to be a part of His family! God has brought us from our old life of sin and darkness into His amazing family! The simple fact that the creator of the universe chose us and brought us into His family gives our lives value and purpose.

Secondly, we are not only a part of the family, but we have been given a mission that has eternal significance. We are God’s special possession, and the reason He has chosen us and brought us into the family is so that we “may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (v.9b). Our value is ultimately found in reflecting the goodness of our Heavenly Father to a world which desperately needs Him. We live out that truth every time we share what He has done for us, how He has healed, saved, restored, and delivered us. We have been given His mercy so that we can show others the goodness of God.

Your life makes a difference, and your prayers are changing things!

Scriptures

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”