(Our Leadership Team at Crean Lutheran High School has been reviewing the book, The Power of Mattering, by Zach Mercurio. While this book isn’t Christian literature and Zach Mercurio doesn’t publicly identify his religious affiliation, this book intersects with themes that resonate deeply with Christian values—especially the transformative truth that every person matters.)

[Jeremiah 31:3]“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

In the grand scheme of things, what really matters? Does anything really matter? Do we really matter? And if we matter, what makes us matter? Where does our worth come from? Is it found in our profession? Is it found in our position (our job title), in our marriages (husband or wife), or in our family (mom or dad or child)? Yes, those roles are all meaningful and contribute to our sense of value and being valued. But in the big picture, those roles don’t really amount to a hill of beans, do they? They don’t matter much when it comes to the whole matter of mattering. So let’s ask again…

What Really Matters?

From where does our worth come? When it comes right down to it, there is only One who truly matters. And that is God. God truly matters. Why does God matter? Because He is God. He created us; He redeemed us; He knows us intimately; He loves us relentlessly; and He calls us to anchor our worth not in our performance or our potential, but rather in His unwavering presence, providence, and protection. 

Our worth is totally tied up in Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus, our lives don’t matter; they lack eternal value; they have no worth. Jesus established our worth when He gave His precious life into death on the cross. That act made our lives priceless because of the immeasurable price He paid and the extraordinary sacrifice He made. That sacrifice of Jesus’ life was born out of love; relentless, astonishing love.

Bottom line: Our worth comes not from what we do or who we are, but it comes from whose we are. Because He matters, we matter.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” — Jeremiah 31:3

The Bible isn’t just a collection of ancient writings—it’s actually a beautiful, breathtaking love story. At the heart of this story is a God who sees us, hears us, knows us, and loves us with a relentless, unfailing love. Jeremiah 31:3 is God’s tender whisper to His weary people across generations: You matter to Me. I have always loved you. And. I will always love you.

This love isn’t based on who we are: on our present performance, our past, or our potential. Rather it is based on who God is. God is love, and His love defines our worth. His love freely offered up His Son to be our Savior.

Here’s the beautiful truth: that love extends to every human soul. All are cherished by God. Everyone matters–because Jesus died for everyone. Every single person, born and unborn, rich or poor, young or old, from every walk of life, and from every race. Everyone matters; each person is infinitely valuable because Jesus gave His life for them. At CLHS, this is our mission and our message: to proclaim the worth of every person through the love of Christ.

In Jeremiah’s time, Israel was a mess: broken, exiled, spiritually adrift. Yet God’s message wasn’t one of condemnation: “You’ve failed.” It was a declaration of unwavering grace: “I’ve never stopped loving you.”

The message that people matter to God runs from Genesis to Revelation:

📖 In Genesis, God walks with Adam and Eve—even after their fall.

📖 In Exodus, God hears the cries of His enslaved people and sets them free.

📖 In Hosea, He tells a prophet to marry an unfaithful woman—to display His faithful love.

📖 In John, He sends His Son not to condemn, but to rescue broken sinners.

📖 In Revelation, He prepares a place where the forgiven dwell with Him forever.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;” God’s love isn’t conditional or situational—it’s eternal. We matter, not because we say so, but because He says so. We matter because God matters.

Because of Christ, our identity and worth are secure—rooted not in what we do or who we say we are, but in who He says we are. We are…

📖 Created With Purpose

“We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” — Ephesians 2:10

We are not random or accidents. We are masterpieces, handcrafted by the Creator Himself and commissioned with a purpose.

📖 Chosen and Cherished

“You are a chosen people… God’s special possession…” — 1 Peter 2:9

God doesn’t merely tolerate us—He treasures us. He delights in us.

📖 Loved at Our Worst

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

God doesn’t love us because we’re lovable. He loves us because He is love.

📖 Remembered and Never Forgotten

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast…? I will not forget you!” — Isaiah 49:15

God’s faithfulness surpasses even a mother’s deep devotion and love.

📖 Secure in His Love

“Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God …” — Romans 8:39

No failure, fear, or force can undo the love God has for us.

When the world insists that our worth is measured by achievement or popularity, we can boldly say: Not true. Our worth is anchored in the everlasting love of God—a love so profound that He gave His Son because He deemed us worth redeeming.

That love is our identity.

That love is our security.

That love story is our story.

That love is our mission—the message we’re called to share with a world aching to know they matter.

As we enter this new school year, let us do so with confidence in the fact that God has made us worthy and made us matter in whatever position to which He has called us. Going forward, we can say with confidence that come what may in the year ahead, we are loved by God. That love gives us immeasurable worth. That love makes us matter.

So one more time...what really matters?

God does. 

And because God matters, we matter too. Amen.

Father, thank You for the incredible truth that we matter to You, not because of what we do nor because of who we are, but because of who You are. Help us to silence the voices that measure worth by fleeting worldly standards and instead to rest in Your eternal affirmation. Remind us daily that our identity is rooted in Your unfailing, everlasting love. When we feel insignificant, lift our eyes to the cross where Your love declared us priceless. Help us walk in that truth, and reflect Your love to others who are longing to know they matter too. Bless this school year ahead with grace, purpose, and the deep assurance that we are forever Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rev. Timothy A. Unke, Campus Pastor

Crean Lutheran High School

campuspastor@creanlutheran.org