It is often said that in the affairs of the world no one is indispensable. And from the human viewpoint this appears to be true. Yet there does exist an indispensable man. Who is he? He is the man referred to in the first chapter of Genesis as having been made in the image and likeness of God. He is the spiritual reflection of divine Mind, God, manifested individually as our true spiritual selfhood.
If someone has been troubled with thoughts of futility or hopelessness, or if for some reason human existence has become purposeless to him, he may find it difficult to regard himself as necessary to anyone or anything. Yet, according to the teachings of Christian Science, there is no such thing as a purposeless existence. We are taught here that God has infinite purpose for the man of His creating. We find hope, encouragement, and a renewed concept of our true value as we learn of the real nature of God and man and as we apprehend more of the importance of man to his Maker.
It is the nature of divine Mind to unfold ideas in order that Mind may be expressed. God's purpose in forming man in His own likeness is that the creative Principle should have ideas to reflect and to express its glorious nature. God's need for His offspring, spiritual man, and man's inestimable value to God are revealed in these beautiful words from Isaiah, which record God as saying (43:4), "Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." Then God refers to His sons and daughters as "even every one that is called by my name" and continues, "For I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him."
