This edition of The Center: Christ, His Cross, His World begins something new:  a series that will focus on and explore the “golden thread” of God’s love and missional heart for the world throughout the Holy Scriptures. The “What Matters?” series will be reflections on original devotions by Dr. Robert Newton written for the California Nevada Hawaii (CNH) District when he was there (by permission). Let’s get started.

There was once a very popular word or ‘phrase’ with young people, and perhaps it still is: “Whatever.”  It often means, “So what.” or “Who cares.”  It can also mean, “Does it really matter?”

So, what matters?

That question is huge. Why? Because we invest our lives in what matters most to us, or we should. If we don‘t know what really matters, then we have a really hard time knowing what to do with our lives. Focus is blurred. We‘re not sure how best to invest our time,  and often energy, our gifts, or talents. In short, we‘re not sure how to invest ourselves. Central and perhaps more critical to the question of “what matters” is a deeper and more personal question: “Do I matter?”

The so-called “I” or “Me” generation, and those that have followed, has worked hard at giving us a sense of personal identity and importance, and that‘s mostly good. But if we pry into the hearts of folks – no matter their age – there is often the wonder, “Do I matter, really?”  Quite frankly, when I counseled with folks over the last forty years, listening intently for what the problem or concern really might be, I heard that question a lot.

Children, even children in Christian homes, have this question. They know they matter to their parents and grandparents. They know they matter to their pastors and teachers (the beauty of our Lutheran schools). They may be convinced of that. But, they’ll reflect that everyone mentioned “is supposed to care.” Their big question is whether they matter to anybody else. Do I matter to those who don‘t have to love me—my friends, my boss and co-workers, my classmates?  Do I matter to them? And if I do, why? What matters seems to be up in the air for many. For many of us, too. And when we’re not sure, absolutely convinced, we‘ve lost our bearings.

This series of reflections, devotions, and Bible studies is designed to help all of us find our bearings once again. God has a great deal to say about what matters. Please know that God, with deliberate intent, gave us the Bible. In the Bible, these questions are not only answered but we are given so much more!

My encouragement is that as you read the Scriptures in these reflections, you listen carefully to Him in the Word. Perhaps find one or two others or start a small group where you can read, listen, encourage, and study the Bible together. I am convinced that you will be able to answer clearly and with genuine conviction: “I know what matters. And I commit my life to it.”