SEARCHING FOR SIGNIFICANCE
image courtesy of photobucket.com
“You wanna’ play trucks”? I asked. “OK”! she said quickly and continued, “I’ll be Mac”! I immediately protested, “NO”! – “I wanna’ be Mac”! All in all we worked it out pretty well. My sister and I agreed to take turns being Mac.
I’m not sure who made up the fictitious character of Mac, but we both knew that in our world of make believe, Mac was the man… The boss… The guy you just don’t question, because he was Fonzie cool before Fonzie was invented.
It starts young, searching for significance. People want to be important, to matter or make a difference in this life. We are wired to have sense of usefulness, for our lives to have significance, I think. It feels pretty good when someone acknowledges us in some way as special.
In our crazy world we fight to be recognized in it, even if by negative means and for all the wrong reasons. It’s likely insecurity was born in this world the moment mankind fell to temptation in the Garden. Although Adam and Eve sought cover for their bodies, there would be no way to cover the insecurity born that day.
Insecurity breeds some pretty ugly traits, jealousy right up there at the top. The sons of Adam and Eve were victims of that sin, and it’s been passed down through all generations and is alive and well, living in all of us.
The only antidote for all sin is God and understanding His sovereignty in all of His creation. Like the most beautiful of the angels who fell, we like being praised and honored in our flesh.
Whatever the gifts created in us, just like Lucifer we use those gifts to bring ourselves accolades and attention. If some is good, more is better.
Does your significance in this world rely on the people here with us to acknowledge it? Or is it the peace and joy within knowing God Himself is pleased with the fulfillment of our gifts?
It seems that the people throughout history who are enshrined and honored by the others that followed, are in majority, the ones who gave and sacrificed the most. While we live in a fallen world and fight the flesh including our jealousy and insecurity, we instinctively know the truly great ones in our lives.
Many people fight to be acknowledged and understood in our world, to be known, recognized, and receive the praise of the people in our world. While others fight not for themselves, but for the need and recognition of others or just causes that will come to the aid of those in need.
Make no mistake; the needs are just as great for those with much in the ways of this world, and in some ways even more so. Often this group who fight to leave their mark on this earth with the trappings of this world are the most lost.
When we write, read, or think up our own press releases, we’ve missed the mark and understanding of true wisdom in our world. If we can put a few simple words together in a special way, used by God to change the life of one single soul in this world, we don’t need a pat on the back by our peers.
When we live and breathe in Holy humility, the pat on the back of our soul will resonate through us the rest of our lives and into eternity.
Since I believe the most simple words expressed in brevity can be the most profound, I’ll leave you with this…
God loves you…
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 @ 2:36 am
I realize (now) my significance comes from my identity in Christ. For so long, my identity was wrapped up in my athletic ability. My dad told me so. Not by his words but by his actions. Others told me so. Not all by words, but some by actions. I hid who i really was by excelling in basketball. Then one day, it was stripped away. No more sports (except cycling & lifting weights). Who am I? Then I found out who I was in Christ. That made and makes all the difference in the world. Thanks for a great thought today floyd and keeping me focused on Him.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 @ 7:01 am
Thanks BIll, I appreciate your encouraging words and the realness you bring to all aspects of your life. You my friend have blood type “C”, for Christian. I pray we all begin to pump that type of blood throughout who we are in Him.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 @ 6:44 pm
You’re right that everyone likes encouragement, the ole at-a-boy does make you feel good. But have you noticed how difficult it is for most to take a compliment, but so easy for most to fall victim to the slightest criticism? Ya maybe it is modesty, but misplaced modesty can ruin the joy of sharing a sincere compliment with another person. We are our own hardest critics. Maybe in Heaven we can give ourself a break, but here on Earth, perhaps if we learn to gratefully accept compliments, we will give others permission to do so as well. Bt
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 6:48 am
That’s a valid point, maybe we’re all a little guilty of that as well. I think when that is the case it is used by the receiver to try to keep their pride at bay. It’s difficult to measure the heart, but for me I think that’s the case. It’s easy to start believing the hype so it may just be a defense mechanism. You’re right though, I’m sure I’m guilty on both sides…
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 @ 9:06 pm
On Friday and Saturday I’m speaking on how many let their past define them, I might have to do a little revising based on this excellent post. Will you be there on Friday?
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 6:50 am
Thanks Audra. Where are you speaking? Let me know I’d love to make it if I can. Oh! And I promise not to throw tomatoes!
Friday, November 11, 2011 @ 10:06 pm
Which is it? Are you going to throw the tomatoes or not? I will change my wardrobe to darker colors if so.
Friday, November 11, 2011 @ 10:17 pm
It all depends on your performance! You know I’m kidding. If anyone steps out of line, I’ll be there!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 @ 10:33 pm
Always a wonderful reminder. It’s so easy to get caught up in “making your mark” but that’s not where our true significance lies. It’s in being a son, adopted into His household. Good words and so thankful for His love. Thanks Floyd.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 6:52 am
Thank you Jason, I appreciate the words and support. I’m sure you’re happy to be home from your ministry trip. God bless you man.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 @ 11:17 pm
Excellent post! Your game with your sister each wanting to be the Boss caused me to smile.
Yes, any gifts we may have are from the Lord, and we must take care that pride does not enter in when we receive praise or congratulations for something well done. I agree with BT that sometimes it is difficult to receive a well entended compliment. One of our blogger friends is doing 30 days on “It’s Not About Me.” Ain’t that the truth?
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 6:54 am
Thanks Hazel. Yes! “It’s Not About Me” is the truth. I think this is a weak spot for most of us, me for sure. I shared with BT that sometimes I think a compliment received with apprehension is sometimes to help keep our ego’s at bay.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 9:06 am
I looked at my little Hannah-girl ( 11) after she had made a certain statement, and her face dropped. I said nothing. “I KNOW, it’s not all about me”, she quipped.
I started laughing so hard! Then God reminded me that I had been an approval addict. As a kid, even getting a meal might have been affected by my “approval rating”, so everything I did was based on getting someone else’s approval
What a great post! God’ s kids need to know that their worth is tied up in the phrase, “In HIM I live and move and have my being.” Without him, I can do nothing.
We used to have a Pastor who continually reminded us that Communion was just about that; in remembrance of Him we practice” laying down our lives”. Our wants, our desires must line up with the Word. Often it’s NOT the things we want, but the attitude of heart. You hit the nail on the head! God loves me.
My daily prayer is that He Keeps my heart convinced that HE loves me – that way I won’t be tempted to seek approval elsewhere.
Good words Floyd!
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 9:35 am
Thanks Nancy. Likewise! Your words were powerful, encouraging, and lifting; a God given asset for all of us. I always appreciate your heart and wisdom whether it’s here or at your site.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 10:59 am
“When we live and breathe in Holy humility, the pat on the back of our soul will resonate through us the rest of our lives and into eternity.”
Wow, Floyd. That’s a God-breathed sentence. I’ll keep that close today… and that God loves me. Simple but impossible to find more beautiful words.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 6:41 pm
Thanks Lisa, in the end, that really says it all doesn’t it. They really are the most beautiful words. Good call. The most powerful thing on earth is God and His word. He is love…
Friday, November 11, 2011 @ 8:02 am
When we have insecurities and fears about ourselves and who we are, we need acceptance and we often confuse simple accolades and acknowledgement of our gifts as acceptance and continue to desire more and more. When the reality is that if we accept ourselves as God does then we are no longer in need of accolades.
Friday, November 11, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
Well said, I’d say that sums it up perfectly. Thanks April.
Saturday, November 12, 2011 @ 11:52 am
As American Jesus-people, isn’t it our job to change the world and make it look a lot more like us? 😉 I’m totally kidding. We keep having that shoved down our throats, but it’s not really all that significant. Making a mark in our own communities with the gifts and talents we’ve been blessed with should be enough. I just wish we could all believe it and be satisfied with it.
Saturday, November 12, 2011 @ 3:16 pm
I hear you Jake. I really believe that sometimes our lives are just meant to do something significant for one person. Wouldn’t that be enough? You’re right. It ought to be.
Friday, December 30, 2011 @ 9:25 pm
Beautiful post…Nancy said everything I wanted to say, right down to Acts 17:28.
When our love tank is full of Jesus, there is no need for earthly praise. Everything we need can be found in Him.
Friday, December 30, 2011 @ 10:08 pm
Thanks Pat, and thanks for always being there to pull me where I need to be, even if you don’t know you’ve done it. You are an obedient child of God. I’m following…