Article August 19, 1996 Issue

No one is ever useless

Robert A. Johnson

Parents whose children have left home, a student uncertain about a career choice, a laid-off worker, a teenager without a special group of friends, may feel lost or without purpose. But is anyone ever really useless or lost? No!

For this statement to have meaning, however, we need to understand that our true identity isn't found in a mortal, sometimes happy and sometimes unhappy, existence. We truly are children of God, made in His likeness. Each of God's children, as the reflection of ever-active Love, is always useful. For us to be useless, God would need to be useless first, and that's impossible.

We learn to prove our usefulness as we follow Christ Jesus' example. He showed that prayer, love, and healing are the most useful things that anyone can do. Jesus confirmed the utility of prayer when he explained to the disciples what was needed to heal a difficult case, saying, "... this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21). Even when he knew he would be betrayed by one of his own disciples and would face crucifixion, he urged his other disciples to stay alert to do the important work of prayer: "Pray that ye enter not into temptation." Then he himself prayed, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:40, 42). Jesus knew it was safe to place his life and mission in the hands of God, for his true life as God's beloved Son could not be destroyed. He knew that God's purpose for His children is only good.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

No one is ever useless

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access