READ: ISAIAH 43:1-7; MATTHEW 10:29-31; JOHN 10:1-18; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27

Have you ever felt invisible? Like no one knew who you were? Sometimes it seems like other people have really great relationships and a bunch of people to hang out with. There are some people who fit into groups with ease, and there are others who find themselves watching from a distance more than they’d like.

It’s lonely. It’s isolating. It’s discouraging. Trying to find your place in this world can be hard. It can take more time than we’d like. It can feel defeating.

But God knows your name. He knows who you are. And He loves you. He doesn’t care whether or not you’re in the in-crowd. He doesn’t care if you have the best ability when it comes to sports or music. None of that makes Him love you any more or any less.

He created you for a purpose, and you matter more to Him than you could ever know. He sees you, He knows you, and He values who you are. • Tynea Lewis

• When have you felt left out? In times like these, Jesus invites us to come to Him. Remember, He befriended all kinds of people, but He especially sought out those who weren’t part of the in-crowd, people like ordinary fishermen, hated tax collectors, and zealots with questionable reputations, not to mention He was friends with women, who were generally looked down upon in society, and He touched people who were considered “unclean” outcasts and healed them. (If you want to dig deeper, just start reading one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.)

• Jesus sees each one of us, even when no one else does. Because God cares about us so much, Jesus died and rose again so everyone who trusts in Him can become part of God’s family. How could it be comforting to know that, even when we don’t feel like we have a place we fit in the world, Jesus says we belong to Him and we have an important place in His kingdom and family?

• How can resting in the assurance of being known and loved by God help us reach out to others who may be feeling lonely or unseen? (Romans 15:7)

• What is the purpose God created us for? One way Christians have answered this question is in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 86; Isaiah 60:21; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31; Revelation 4:11 and Psalms 16:5-11; 144:15; Isaiah 12:2; Luke 2:10; Philippians 4:4; Revelation 21:3-4.)

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1b (NLT)