November 2023
Steve Russo

Each person is an amazing and unique creation complete with specific talents, desires and needs. Even if you have an identical twin, you still have a unique set of gifts and abilities that no one else has. But there are also some “basic” needs we all share –indispensable necessities in life.

For example, we all need to be able to say “I matter.” But lots of people struggle with a terrible, disfigured self-image that robs them of their contentment and motivation. Each one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made – put together in our mother’s womb one piece at a time by the living God (Psalm 139) – created with a plan and a purpose in mind (Jeremiah 29:11). Do you realize how much you matter to God?

Everybody has the need to “fit in” somewhere. It’s part of the need to belong and the community we all want to experience for our lives. It’s been said that no one is an island. God did not create us to live in isolation. He demonstrated this back in the beginning of human history when He created the first man and woman – Adam and Eve (Genesis 2). Are you trying to go it alone or have you found a place where you belong?

And we all need to be confident that we can accomplish opportunities God puts in front of us. Lacking confidence in God’s power and provision in our lives can be unsettling. It can keep us from achieving all that God has called us to do. The Bible reminds us that apart from him we can do nothing. But we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength ( Philippians 4:13).

God responds to all these needs and more at the cross. We matter because Jesus paid a huge price to rescue us from our sin. He is the only one who could bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful people (1 Timothy 2:5). We belong because we’re part of God’s family (John 1:12). And we have power through the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Trust God to meet all your needs and empower you to become the person you were created to be.