Significance

Significance is not something that can always be immediately recognised or grasped, even by those who have been involved in a significant act or purpose. Simply put, significance has to do with purpose and importance.

There have been those through history who have imagined themselves, or what they had done, to be significant when, in fact, that was not the case. There are those who quickly recognise the significance of a medical, scientific, or even theological break through. Then there are those who, with no thought to fame or lasting significance, simply did what was needed at the time, only later recognising the significance of their actions.

I wonder what you may have said or done that has had some aspect of very real significance for you personally, for your family or on an even wider scale? Sometimes that significance is not positive and has lasting repercussions that we would rather not remember. At other times, however, a simple word or act can have very positive and lasting significance. Of course, it is the latter category that is most heartening and what we should be aiming for at all times.

We tend to think of significance in light of famous people or great inventions and yet, probably the greater number of significant things that happen in life are what we might view as mundane or ‘every day’. A kind word at the right time, a smile, or even a wise rebuke can be very significant. If such a simple thing is deemed important or purposeful by the recipient you (by your action) have become someone of significance in someone else’s life. Living daily as ‘salt and light’ for the Lord Jesus Christ is significant in the context of the needs of our family, friends and neighbours. It is important too, to remember, that our significance does not come from how important or seemingly successful we are (or would like to be). Our significance comes by how well we represent the Lord, leaving the possibility of any outward accolades up to Him.

Esther 9:28 These days are remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not lose their significance in Jewish life and their memory will not fade from their descendants.

Psalm 106:7 Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp [the significance of] Your wonderful works or remember Your many acts of faithful love; instead, they rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea.

Don & Julie
With you on the journe