SENSE OF SIGNIFICANCE

“Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord...” – Isaiah 49:4a

Living by the Light of Purpose involves nurturing a positive SENSE of SIGNIFICANCE: “Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, and my work with my God” (Isa.49:4). The Servant of the Lord perceived that God had ordained him for a purpose from the matrix of His mother (vv.1-3). Yet, a feeling of insecurity persisted (v.4b). The human spirit has a deep craving for a sense of significance, the absence of which causes anxiety and insecurity! This search for significance and a meaningful life, a life that counts, is inherent in man. It is evidence of an internal vacuum in the human nature that needs to be filled. This age-old passion is a relentless reaching for a reason for the gift of life, which when not harnessed, could produce adverse consequences!

This compelling need for significance has been the cause of tragedies such as suicides, attempted suicides, mass murders, and serial killing, as the sociopaths try to feed their need to feel important or to experience a sense of self-worth. This hunger for relevance makes one race or ethnic group try to elevate itself above others. It breeds prejudice and erroneous perceptions that result in grave injustices. It gives birth to tyrants and dictators who easily sacrifice the sacredness of human life and dignity for a temporary sense of significance. This desperate desire to feel relevant to one’s existence also causes the sacrifice of common sense, moral standards, basic values, and good judgment.

Many individuals have sacrifice great reputations and years of character-building life styles for the sake of a desired position or a place of recognition and fame in their society or workplace, so they could feel important and worthwhile. Many forfeit families, friends and convictions, accumulating status symbols and material possessions in the attempt to gain a sense of significance, meaning, and relevance. In essence, this deep desire and drive for a sense of significance is the cause and motivator of most human behavior and conflict. This passion for significance knows no boundaries. Rich and poor are victims of its power. Kings and peasants suffer under its rule.

Many individuals have achieved incredible degrees of success but found themselves struggling with an inner hunger for personal fulfillment and a yearning for significance. This feeling of emptiness and internal failure, even after a substantial measure of material and social success, derives from lack of a sense of significance or of a reason for being born. As collectives, when nations, societies, communities, organizations, marriages, friendships, clubs, churches, or tribes lose their sense of significance, then confusion, frustration, discouragement, disillusionment and corporate suicide begin to reign! The discovery of divine purpose helps to nurture a perspective that gives life significance and relevance.