Throughout life, we all seek a variety of different tangible and intangible things. Two unseen, but critically important qualities we seek, are the feeling of being secure – or safe, and also significant – that you matter- your feelings, emotions, etc., and are important in this world.

Hopefully, you have relationships in your life where you have one or both of these qualities in your life. Whether they are your parents, brothers & sisters, or friends at work or school, we all strive to have a sense of significance and security with others.

I believe having significance and security with friends and family can be different than how God views significance and security. We should model our definition to God’s.

God is the great comforter. He can and does love us unconditionally! That’s often difficult for us to do – we often put parameters around our “love” (you better do this or else…) God showed how significant we are by sending His son. He also tells us over and over that we are secure in Him:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke (Matthew11:28 – 30). on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.

Knowing we have security and significance in the Lord allows us to have Faith in Him and His word. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…” (Hebrews 11:1).

Think of the wind – you can’t see it, but you know it is there and you see the effects of the wind. It is often like this with God – He is there. We may not be able to see Him, but He does provide comfort, significance, and security through other people, and through our personal relationship with Him.

To have faith, or be a Christian, you do not have to be perfect. Perfection is not what Christianity is all about. You do your best and God does the rest… (Dr. Gene Scott)

Faith in God doesn’t mean mystical powers, or something supernatural, or reserved for those who are pastors or “important.” Faith is given freely to all. It’s our choice if we choose to grab a hold of it, and be obedient to God’s will. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

When we have faith in God, and are obedient to His will, our interest and desires change. We don’t dwell on the superficial. We don’t dwell on the things of this world.

While you train here in this class, don’t focus on the superficial – the next “belt.” Know you are significant, and secure in this room. Better yet, know you are loved unconditionally through Christ our Lord! There’s not one atom or thing you can add that would make God love you any more than He already does! “For it is by grace through faith that we are saved.” (Ephesians 2:8).