"It is only when we choose to accept insignificance in this world and embrace how amazing God thinks we are and all that He is capable of doing through us, that we can experience true contentment, lasting peace and immeasurable joy that no one can take away."
Long before we are even able to form lasting memories, we strive for significance. An infant wails for attention as the form of her mother comes into view. "Notice me!" she cries. "Hold me!...Love me!" Our need to be loved and cared about is as much a part of being human as the air we breathe. Our creator did not design us to be solitary. He designed us to love and be loved according to our own free will within His perfect design. We get derailed however when we allow the enemy to deceive us into thinking that others have the right to determine if we are worthy of time, love, respect, significance or appreciation. Our creator has already given us these things and it is not for anyone else to give them or take them away.Deep in your soul, whether having given it much thought or otherwise, you have always associated being loved with confirmed significance. In fact, if you were not loved enough, or not loved in the right way, you may have a very skewed view of your value in this world. Even as an adult, the smallest slight from another person can make us feel insignificant; an unreplied email or phone call, a forgotten birthday, a snubbed invitation. I ask myself..."Why is being thought of by others so important and why does it bother me when someone makes me feel insignificant? How much significance is enough? How much love is enough? How many people need to love me in order for me to have value... worth... significance?" It is only when we choose to accept insignificance in this world and embrace how amazing God thinks we are, and all that He is capable of doing through us, that we can experience true contentment, lasting peace and immeasurable joy that no one can take away.
I am reminded of a passage of scripture in Luke 14 that tells us about a conversation that Jesus had with the Pharisees:
When he (Jesus) noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:7-11Close your eyes and try to imagine what your life would have been like if the only love you gauged your significance on was the love of the Lord. If you had sought to accept and embrace being insignificant in this world, how many painful moments would be erased? What amount of insurmountable fear would be vanquished in the absence of public opinion? Is it possible to see yourself as God does rather than how the acceptance or rejection of others has molded your self image? Who are you...really? Do you have significance in and of yourself without seeing it reflected in the eyes of others? Yes you do my friend, and so do I.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31The Bible is very emphatic about how significant you are. Even if you were the only human on earth, God would have sent His son to die just for you. He adores you and it is only through Him that one finds true significance. He designed you and knows you better than you know yourself. We are only here for such a short time compared to eternity. He longs for you to let Him lead you through your own personal journey. God is in control, but our pride wants to reject the concept of Divine sovereignty because WE want to be in control and relinquishing that right makes us fearful that we may become inconsequential, disposable, useless and unnoticed.
Why do we feel that way? A simple lack of faith.
Our prayer today..."Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me significance in You. Strengthen my faith in You and fill me with Your peace in knowing that You are all I need and Your love is sufficient. Reveal to me any wicked way in me and give me the courage and strength to overcome. Bless my friends and family, and all those taking the time to read this, with wisdom, strength, courage and love today and for many days to come. Amen."
Until next time my friend,
Strength and honor in Christ
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