Significance: You Are Part of His Plan

Every day as I engage with people, whether it's a phone call with a church member, an encounter with a counseling client, or a simple coversation with a friend, I see an underlying theme: many people are insecure, they question their significance, and are uncertain about their purpose. There’s the young professional who wonders, "Does any of this matter?"  There’s the stay-at-home parent asking, "Am I making a difference?" And the older adult wondering, "Are my best days of meaningful contribution behind me?" These questions echo in hearts all around us.

From a theological view, these questions lead to a deeper truth: each person matters because every person is part of God’s sovereign plan. We are not just treading water until we reach some vague “fulfillment.” We are woven into the fabric of God’s Kingdom mission on earth.

Recognizing the everyday witness

When I engage someone in conversation—whether it’s a teenager in our youth ministry, a receptionist at my doctor's office, a coffee house barista, or a client in distress—I often catch glimpses of unspoken longings: to be seen, to be heard, to matter. It’s in the furtive sentence, “I don’t know what I’m doing with my life,” or the shrug of “I guess I’m just here.” What I’m reminded of is this: each interaction is a potential moment of Kingdom “micro-mission.” Whether or not we intend it, we show up carrying theological significance: the image of God working in and through us.

In other words, your daily presence, how you listen, how you respond, how you carry yourself, matters. You may feel like you’re simply meeting someone at 3 pm about a report, or chatting in line at Starbucks about the weather, but you are doing more than that. You are demonstrating the truth that God cares. You are reminding someone of their worth by the dignity you show them. You are participating in His mission!

The theological foundation of individual significance

From Scripture and church tradition, several truths converge to support the idea that you are part of God’s plan:

1. Created in God’s image The doctrine of humanity reminds us that each human being is made in the image of God. (The Gospel Coalition) Because of this, we possess inherent dignity, value, and capacity. Therefore, when someone questions “Does my life matter?” the answer begins with: you were intentionally made.

   
   

2. Created for Purpose and to Glorify God

   The Bible affirms that the ultimate purpose of humanity is to glorify God (GotQuestions.org). But that’s not just a lofty concept—there’s also the reality that God has unique plans for each person (Psalm 139:13–16 is often pointed to in this respect) (C.S. Lewis Institute). Your life is not a random accident. “Life is not an accident. there is a purpose and meaning to every life.” (Christianity)
   

3. Embedded in the Mission of God on Earth Theology reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves: the “Kingdom of God” advancing. The doctrine of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation shows that God’s plan is cosmic, yet personal (The Gospel Coalition). To put it another way: when you — in your small sphere of influence (we call this Oikos) — give a listening ear, speak a word of hope, serve someone in need, you’re participating in God’s restorative mission.
   

4. Redeemed and transformed people serve the mission Because of grace, we are not left in our brokenness—it is transformed, and that transformation is not purely personal, but relational and missional. The Christian life is not just “me and God,” but “me, God, and others” in service (Grace Filled Pathways). Therefore, your significance is tied not only to your identity (“child of God”) but to your calling (“servant-witness in God’s mission”).
   

Practical ways to start living your significance

Here are four practical steps you can take today to begin living like someone who knows they matter and are part of His plan. Feel free to adapt them to your context—counseling, ministry, business, parenting, friendship.

1. Name your “field” as mission territory Identify the spaces you inhabit (work, home, church, neighborhood, network, etc.) and mentally shift them from “random places I go” to “my mission field.” For example, the office break-room becomes a place where you make relational investments, not just take a coffee break. The grocery checkout becomes a chance to show dignity and kindness. Make a short list of 2-3 places you frequent and ask: How could I show the Kingdom values here this week?
   

2. Listen for significance cues Pay attention to small signals people give—hesitations, “just between you and me” comments, stories of “I feel like I don’t matter.” When you hear them, pause. Offer a word that acknowledges: “That sounds really hard” or “You matter to me.” The act of being present and listening well communicates: you are valued. Over time, this builds a relational reputation of significance.
   

3. Offer your unique “gift” in small ways Each person has gifts (talents, experience, time, resources). You don’t need to lead a massive initiative. Choose one manageable action this week where you serve someone, mentor someone, or speak life into someone else. For instance: offer to help a colleague understand a process you know well; invite someone for coffee to ask about their story and dreams; send a handwritten note to someone who serves others. Start small and grow big. Small acts will grow into a culture of significance.
   

4. Anchor your identity in God’s narrative, not your performance One of the biggest blocks to living out significance is attaching identity to performance: “If I do this, I’ll matter; if I succeed, I’ll be significant.” Instead, anchor yourself in who you are in Christ and what God has already done. Reflect on verses like Psalm 100:3—“It is he who made us, and we are his” (GotQuestions.org). Begin each day with a short affirmation: “I belong to God; He has plans for me; I am part of His mission.” This reorientation frees you from the tyranny of proving your value and moves you into living your value.
   

5. Team up for community witness Mission is rarely solo. Identify one or two people you’ll invite as partners (in your Oikos) for mutual encouragement and accountability. Perhaps you meet once a month to explore: How did I see significance this week? How did I respond? Where did I feel powerless? This shared lens amplifies your sense of mission and helps you stay consistent.

Why this matters

When people feel insignificant, insecure, or in limbo, they become vulnerable to despair, comparison, and spiritual drift. But when they awaken to their role in God’s story, something shifts. They stop asking “Does this matter?” and start asking “How can I show that it matters?”And when you live like that—aware of your significance, engaged in God’s mission—you become a relational beacon of light. One life at a time, the Kingdom advances.

Remember: you are not an accident. You are not irrelevant. You are part of something massive, but tangible. The ordinary things you do—work, family, friendship, service—are woven into the tapestry of his redemptive plan. Let that truth set you free to live with purpose, to interact with courage, and to embody the fact that, you are absolutely part of His plan.

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References

GotQuestions. (n.d.). What is the purpose of man, according to the Bible? https://www.gotquestions.org/purpose-of-man.html (GotQuestions.org)

PursueGOD.org. (n.d.). Christianity explains the human condition. https://www.pursuegod.org/christianity-explains-the-human-condition/ (pursuegod.org)

Christianity.org.uk. (n.d.). What is the purpose of life? https://www.christianity.org.uk/article/what-is-the-purpose-of-life (Christianity)Lexham Press Blog. (2021, September 2). Why our physical bodies matter to God. https://blog.lexhampress.com/2021/09/02/why-our-physical-bodies-matter-to-god/ (Lexham Press)

The Gospel Coalition. (n.d.). A biblical theology of creation. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/a-biblical-theology-of-creation/ (The Gospel Coalition)

Crossway Articles. (n.d.). 4 reasons we need a biblical view of humanity. https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-reasons-we-need-a-biblical-view-of-humanity/ (Crossway)

C.S. Lewis Institute. (n.d.). Discovering God’s purpose for your life. https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/discovering-gods-purpose-for-your-life/ (C.S. Lewis Institute)