"We are built for significance. Our problem is not that we search for it, but that we search for it in all the wrong places." That is the opening line of a book that I am reading. I haven't gotten very far into the book since it was just given to me on Sunday, but I think it is laying out a very real problem that is at the heart of who we are. Even that opening line has a lot to say. It is not a problem that we search for significance. I mean the reality is we are made in God's image, we are made to have a relationship with God Himself, we are made to live eternally, in creation humanity seems to be the pinnacle of all that God created, the very Son of God (God in flesh) suffered and died to buy our forgiveness. Those are all significant truths about who we are and what we are made for. As that opening line goes on to say the problem is that as broken, fallen humanity we try to regain our significance in all the wrong ways. The first chapter lays out all the areas of life that is ultimately effected negatively by this pursuit of significance. It effects 1. Our Personhood- I respond to people and behave the way I do ultimately because of my protection of my significance. Think about it when someone wrongs or hurts us why do we react so strongly? Because in some way we are being told by their treatment of us that we are not significant. Or at least not as significant as them. Therefore we have the need to defend ourselves. 2. Our Relationships- every relationship we have(friendships, dates, family,etc) is effected by this desire for significance. We have a tendency to look at others for what we can get from them. This is a direct result of our need for significance. We need others to make us feel significant. This is a devastating and unrealistic demand we put on the people in our lives. 3. Our Culture- so many of our cultural issues can be traced back to this need for significance. Prejudice, arrogance and pride, violence, wars, politics all have their roots in a need to feel superior or significant in some way. So what is the answer? Well I think it is what the New Testament means when it talks about dying to self. In other words I don't live life trying to make myself significant. I die to self and allow Christ to restore me to the proper place of significance. How does that effect these three areas? Well if I understand who I am in Christ and the security that comes from Him, then I am not always threatened by others or the circumstances I face. I mean my significance found in Christ is something that no one can take away or add to. It is unconditional so I don't have to "earn" it. In relationships instead of looking to others to serve or give to me in some way, I can now look at others and serve and give to them. Instead of taking I can give! The effect on our culture is obvious at this point. We would have no need to build self up, tear others down, oppress, or rule. We could truly do what is right and best for others. So where do you stand? Are you still searching for significance or are you at rest in who you are in Christ? Check out Philippians chapter 3 and see if you notice where Paul did look for significance and then ultimately where he found his significance. It is amazing (though not surprising) how accurately and directly the scriptures address every issue of life if we will listen.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE!
"We are built for significance. Our problem is not that we search for it, but that we search for it in all the wrong places." That is the opening line of a book that I am reading. I haven't gotten very far into the book since it was just given to me on Sunday, but I think it is laying out a very real problem that is at the heart of who we are. Even that opening line has a lot to say. It is not a problem that we search for significance. I mean the reality is we are made in God's image, we are made to have a relationship with God Himself, we are made to live eternally, in creation humanity seems to be the pinnacle of all that God created, the very Son of God (God in flesh) suffered and died to buy our forgiveness. Those are all significant truths about who we are and what we are made for. As that opening line goes on to say the problem is that as broken, fallen humanity we try to regain our significance in all the wrong ways. The first chapter lays out all the areas of life that is ultimately effected negatively by this pursuit of significance. It effects 1. Our Personhood- I respond to people and behave the way I do ultimately because of my protection of my significance. Think about it when someone wrongs or hurts us why do we react so strongly? Because in some way we are being told by their treatment of us that we are not significant. Or at least not as significant as them. Therefore we have the need to defend ourselves. 2. Our Relationships- every relationship we have(friendships, dates, family,etc) is effected by this desire for significance. We have a tendency to look at others for what we can get from them. This is a direct result of our need for significance. We need others to make us feel significant. This is a devastating and unrealistic demand we put on the people in our lives. 3. Our Culture- so many of our cultural issues can be traced back to this need for significance. Prejudice, arrogance and pride, violence, wars, politics all have their roots in a need to feel superior or significant in some way. So what is the answer? Well I think it is what the New Testament means when it talks about dying to self. In other words I don't live life trying to make myself significant. I die to self and allow Christ to restore me to the proper place of significance. How does that effect these three areas? Well if I understand who I am in Christ and the security that comes from Him, then I am not always threatened by others or the circumstances I face. I mean my significance found in Christ is something that no one can take away or add to. It is unconditional so I don't have to "earn" it. In relationships instead of looking to others to serve or give to me in some way, I can now look at others and serve and give to them. Instead of taking I can give! The effect on our culture is obvious at this point. We would have no need to build self up, tear others down, oppress, or rule. We could truly do what is right and best for others. So where do you stand? Are you still searching for significance or are you at rest in who you are in Christ? Check out Philippians chapter 3 and see if you notice where Paul did look for significance and then ultimately where he found his significance. It is amazing (though not surprising) how accurately and directly the scriptures address every issue of life if we will listen.
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