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READ: ISAIAH 43:1-7; MATTHEW 10:29-31; JOHN 10:1-18; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27\n\n\n\nHave you ever felt invisible? Like no one knew who you were? Sometimes it seems like other people have really great relationships and a bunch of people to hang out with. There are some people who fit into groups with ease, and there are others who find themselves watching from a distance more than they\u2019d like.\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s lonely. It\u2019s isolating. It\u2019s discouraging. Trying to find your place in this world can be hard. It can take more time than we\u2019d like. It can feel defeating.\n\n\n\nBut God knows your name. He knows who you are. And He loves you. He doesn\u2019t care whether or not you\u2019re in the in-crowd. He doesn\u2019t care if you have the best ability when it comes to sports or music. None of that makes Him love you any more or any less.\n\n\n\nHe created you for a purpose, and you matter more to Him than you could ever know. He sees you, He knows you, and He values who you are. \u2022 Tynea Lewis\n\n\n\n\u2022 When have you felt left out? In times like these, Jesus invites us to come to Him. Remember, He befriended all kinds of people, but He especially sought out those who weren\u2019t part of the in-crowd, people like ordinary fishermen, hated tax collectors, and zealots with questionable reputations, not to mention He was friends with women, who were generally looked down upon in society, and He touched people who were considered \u201cunclean\u201d outcasts and healed them. (If you want to dig deeper, just start reading one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.)\n\n\n\n\u2022 Jesus sees each one of us, even when no one else does. Because God cares about us so much, Jesus died and rose again so everyone who trusts in Him can become part of God\u2019s family. How could it be comforting to know that, even when we don\u2019t feel like we have a place we fit in the world, Jesus says we belong to Him and we have an important place in His kingdom and family?\n\n\n\n\u2022 How can resting in the assurance of being known and loved by God help us reach out to others who may be feeling lonely or unseen? (Romans 15:7)\n\n\n\n\u2022 What is the purpose God created us for? One way Christians have answered this question is in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: \u201cto glorify God and to enjoy him forever.\u201d (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 86; Isaiah 60:21; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31; Revelation 4:11 and Psalms 16:5-11; 144:15; Isaiah 12:2; Luke 2:10; Philippians 4:4; Revelation 21:3-4.)\n\n\n\n\u201cDo not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.\u201d Isaiah 43:1b (NLT)