Do you know Paul Henderson? He’s a Canadian hockey legend who scored the winning goal against the Soviets in 1972 with thirty-four seconds left on the clock. He’s also a Christian who’s used his influence since then to share Christ with thousands of people.

You might be thinking you could never be a Paul Henderson. Maybe. Maybe not. But you could definitely be a Mel Stevens. Mel Stevens was a regular guy who loved Christ. And he was courageous enough to knock on Paul’s door and say, “Paul, you’ve got to get to know Jesus.” Mel gave Paul a Bible. He walked him through the Gospel. For over two years, he answered Paul’s questions. Until one day, Paul decided to surrender his life to Christ.

Whether you are a Mel Stevens or a Paul Henderson, you can live a life of significance — especially when you organize your life around God’s priorities. Throughout the Bible we see God using people right where they are, making something miraculous out of the things that are already in their hands.

The boy who brought his loaves and fishes to Jesus wasn’t extraordinary, but God used him to feed thousands. David was a young boy with a slingshot and a few rocks when he killed Goliath. Mary was a young woman with little means. Rahab hid the Jewish spies under flax and used a rope she had at home to help them escape.

You don’t have to wait until you’re more accomplished before God can use you. He can, and will, use you right where you are if you surrender yourself to his will. It could be something as simple as a conversation or an act of kindness. Or he may ask you do something big and scary — to speak up or to go first. Whatever it is, if you make yourself available to God, he will make your life count.

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. What do you base your significance or worth on? What makes you feel valued?
  2. What does a person of significance look like to you?
  3. When your life is over, what things do you want to be remembered for?
  4. What are some of the barriers in your way?

Read Isaiah 43:2Philippians 4:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:13.

What do these verses say concerning how to overcome the obstacles to living a significant life?


Photo Credit: James Petts