Does your life seem insignificant and meaningless? Do you struggle to find purpose, but instead, you find yourself becoming discouraged and despondent? Do you wonder if your life really counts for anything?

Last week, our family was able to spend a day at a nature center. We marveled at God’s creation and observed the unique ways the various animals glorify our Creator God. I was especially intrigued by the hive of honey bees that we saw in action. Each little bee was diligent in producing the golden honey that was dripping from the honey comb.

Did you know that the average honey bee only manufactures about 1/12th teaspoon of honey in her lifetime? A hive of bees will fly 90,000 miles to collect 1 kg. of honey. This is the equivalent of three orbits around the earth. A honey bee will visit 50-100 flowers during a collection trip, but we eat a teaspoon of honey without genuinely appreciating the labor and the time involved. One bee by itself seems insignificant and can do very little, but a hive of bees, working together, can create over 150 pounds of honey. Each bee is significant and has an important role in God’s great scheme of life.

As we study the journey of the children of Israel, we see the nine generations, living and dying as slaves in Egypt. It wasn’t until the tenth generation (the generation of Moses) that God freed them, and they were finally able to return to Canaan. The previous nine generations may have wrestled with discouragement and feelings of insignificance. After all, what was the purpose of being born and living their entire life as a slave and virtually having no rights of their own? How much were they able to do for God? What significance did they achieve with this inheritance and future? These were God’s chosen people! Don’t you think they questioned God and wondered if His promises to them were ever going to be fulfilled?

Since we now know the bigger picture, we hardly consider the nine generations that lived in captivity. We see God’s hand and His provision in Moses’ generation; however, that doesn’t mean the other generations weren’t a significant part of God’s plan! They were just as important and special to God.

We, pridefully, have the tendency to want a glamorous and important role for our life. Our focus, however, should consist of being in God’s will and obeying His voice, rather than on becoming an important person. God doesn’t demand perfection from us, but He does expect obedience. Our menial tasks are transformed into great and mighty works when we perform them as acts of worship to God.

The great works that God has for you to accomplish will be different from mine; as long as God is giving you air to breathe, and a heart that beats, He has an exceptionally unique and significant purpose for your life. If God has a specific plan for a small honey bee, than He, assuredly, has a great plan for you!

As we have been visiting the awesome and majestic Rocky Mountains these last two days, this verse kept coming to my mind.

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” (Ps.8: 3-4)

It makes me feel very insignificant when I view the vastness and rugged beauty that we have been observing. I realize that in myself, I am insignificant. However, it is awesome to know that because of Jesus, I am unique and important to God!

Whether you are doing mundane tasks like washing dishes, driving truck, computer work, or taking care of little ones, your life is making a difference and you are a vital part of God’s magnificent plan.

Our Daughter, Chantaya, at the Canadian Rockies. 

“Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.”-Rick Warren