Living a Significant Life

We have come to the fourth and final part of our journey in “Our Search for Significance.” We have asked where our significance comes from, why we so often struggle to find it, and what it means to discover that our worth is not determined by what we achieve, what others think of us, or how successful we appear to be.

But there is one final question: What do we do with this discovery?

Knowing that we are significant in the eyes of God should change the way we live.

The Bible tells us, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Notice the order. We do not do good things in order to become significant. We do them because we already are significant. Our lives become a response to the love and grace we have received.

This changes everything.

We no longer have to spend our lives proving ourselves. We can stop comparing ourselves with others. We can celebrate another person’s success without feeling diminished by it. We can admit our failures without believing that we ourselves are failures.

And perhaps most importantly, we can begin to ask a different question.

Instead of asking, “What can I get out of life?”, we can ask, “What can I give?”

A significant life is not necessarily a famous life. It may never appear in a newspaper or receive an award. Significance is often found in the quiet things: a word of encouragement, a hand held in suffering, forgiveness offered, a child listened to, a lonely person visited, a kindness given when nobody is watching.

Jesus demonstrated this beautifully. He noticed people whom others overlooked. He touched those whom others avoided. He listened to those who had no voice. He gave dignity to those who had forgotten their own worth.

And that is our calling too.

You matter. Your life matters. Your presence matters. Even when you feel that you have little left to offer, God can still use you. Your age does not disqualify you. Your mistakes do not disqualify you. Your disappointments do not disqualify you. Your past does not have the final word.

God does.

And God’s word is one of love, grace and purpose.

So, as we finish this four-part journey, let us leave with courage. Do not underestimate the significance of your life. There are people who need your particular voice, your experience, your compassion and your faith.

You are here for a reason.

Go into this coming week not trying to prove that you are somebody, but knowing that in God’s eyes, you already are.

And then live accordingly.

Live generously.
Live courageously.
Live lovingly.
Live purposefully.

For when we know that we are loved by God, we are finally free to become the people God created us to be.

Your life is significant. Your story is not finished. And God still has something meaningful for you to do.