Do You “Feel Like a Number”?
In 1978 Bob Seger released a song called “Feel Like a Number.” In the song, Seger complains that he feels like just a statistic, just another “consensus on the street.” Essentially Seger is complaining that he doesn’t matter to the government or the institutions of the society, that he is just another statistic on a sheet.
It can be tempting to feel that way at times. It can feel like our voices don’t matter to our government, as it so often doesn’t listen to its citizens. We can feel like we are unimportant in the larger scheme of things, and that we do not have much of an impact on people.
The truth is, though, we have far more impact on others than we realize. We definitely have an impact on our family and friends, as they cherish our presence. We have an impact on our fellow church members, who join with us in worship and prayer. And we can even have an impact on the random people we come across in daily life. Just a simple act of kindness toward a stranger can brighten up their day, potentially impacting the way they treat others.
More importantly, we matter to God. Christ said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31). God says to us, “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
For God has loved us with an everlasting love, a love that extends to everyone. He desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of salvation that is in His Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus suffered and died for us, in order to redeem us and to atone for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, God declares us to be righteous and of great value to Him.
In Christ,
Rev. David L. Putz, Pastor
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (LCMS)
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Good things are happening at Holy Cross! Praise God for that. When we keep Word and Sacrament ministry at the heart of what we do, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sown. As we share the Word, God gives the growth and we rejoice as humble stewards of the God who changes lives and hearts. Help us always, Lord, to keep Your Word at the center of our life together under your Holy Cross!
Please continue to pray for our congregation and each other. Don’t forget to visit our church website www.holycross-crawfordsville.org to find links for all our services on YouTube.