Many years ago, during a season of the dark night of the soul, I woke up to this truth:
“Life is not about creating your significance.
It’s about discovering your significance.”
This phrase pulled me out of the miry muck in 2008 and, to this day, guides me through this adventure of life.
What does it mean?
I found that there is a dangerous trap in doing things simply to be significant. I think that is where burn-out happens and discontent grows. You hustle to define your identity with what you do rather than who you are. You find comfort in the clarity of your title or role rather than the peace of embracing the mystery of who you are.
However, as you slow down, and pay attention to the Beauty all around you, you will see that many things that are beautiful are beautiful because they simply who God design them to be. Flowers are flowers. Birds are birds. People are People. Their purpose and value are not what they do but who they are. We are losing sight of ourselves as unique, beautiful creations that God loves beyond measure.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow— not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below— indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:38-39 (The Bible, NLT)
And in that LOVE, we are significant.
When we bask in the deluge of His LOVE, our love for people become supernatural. The overflow of His LOVE moves us to action. His LOVE that doesn’t change no matter how much or little you do, but you do.
So in this New Year, will you pause a for a moment in your pursuit of creating your significance… and discover you already are.
