Am I Really That Important?
By Colleen Swindoll Thompson
Some years ago, Chuck Swindoll desired to encourage the members of the Insight for Living board of directors, to express to them that their contribution to the ministry was significant. He quoted from an advertisement published in the Wall Street Journal. I offer it to you here because, from time to time, we all need a reminder of our importance and significance in life.
How Important Are You?
More than you think. A rooster minus a hen equals no baby chicks.
Kellogg minus a farmer equals no corn flakes.
If the nail factory closes, what good is the hammer factory?
Paderewski’s* genius wouldn’t have amounted to much if the piano tuner hadn’t shown up.
A cracker maker will do better if there’s a cheesemaker.
The most skillful surgeon needs the ambulance driver who delivers the patient.
Just as Rodgers needed Hammerstein you need someone and someone needs you.¹
I struggle with feeling unimportant sometimes. Have you ever felt this way? See, what good is an alternative diet without taking the time to prepare it, or the therapist without the children in need, or a wheelchair without the wheel maker, or the feeding tubes without liquid food? Because of you, our world has more compassion, more heroes—heroes who face impossibilities with undaunted courage. You impact millions of schools around the world by teaching us to listen, protect, and care for each other.
I know someone else who changed the world by loving deeply, listening quietly, sitting with the weak. His name was and is Jesus Christ. Christ was honoring to the weak, affirming of the humble in spirit, and esteeming to those who greatly struggled; for the kingdom of heaven was coming. He continues to give us hope, significance, and new life. Jesus Christ sees you, is with you!
*Ignacy Jan Paderewski, 1860–1941, was one of Poland’s world-renowned pianists, composers, and statesmen.
About the author
Colleen Swindoll Thompson
Colleen Swindoll Thompson holds a bachelor of arts degree in Communication from Trinity International University as well as minors in psychology and education. Colleen serves as the director of Reframing Ministries at Insight for Living Ministries. From the personal challenges of raising a child with disabilities (her son Jonathan), Colleen offers help, hope, and a good dose of humor through speaking, writing, and counseling those affected by disability. Colleen and her husband, Toban, have five children and reside in Frisco, Texas.
