How do you define significance in life? What is the definition of significance in life?
How to do you define it and how does that relate to how to live purposefully?
False Beliefs & External Labels
Do you define significance by your social status? How much money you have? Or, perhaps, by what other people think about you?
In and of themselves, there is nothing wrong with these things. Where it becomes a problem is when you put them before God and take your identity and purpose from either having or not having them.
You see, it is a false belief to base your identity on things that are temporal or on external labels. Eventually, those things will disappear and then where will you be?
One of the things I always took my significance from was the opinion and approval of others. And, when I didn’t get that approval for whatever reason, it would affect how I saw myself and would lead to depression and sometimes angry outbursts. I took criticism personally even when it wasn’t meant that way.
Definition of Significance in Life
It’s important to see significance in life in light of eternity.
According to Neil T. Anderson in his book “Victory Over Darkness”, Significance is all about time.
He says:
“what is forgotten in time is of little significance. What is remembered for eternity is of great significance.”
We all want to feel significant, like we made a difference. However, sometimes the ways that we want to be significant, in light of eternity, aren’t significant at all.
For instance, we want to provide for our kids financially or we think that by becoming famous or having a library named after us will make us significant. Like with success the things of this world like money, fame, social standing might temporarily make us feel significant, but in the end they will all disappear in the end.
One definition of significance is:
“sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy.”
Definition from Oxford Languages
God Thinks You are Significant
God Thinks we are significant. If God didn’t think that we were significant He never would have created us in the first place. And, He wouldn’t have sent Jesus to die for our sins. The depth of God’s love is never-ending.
He not only forgave our sins by taking our place on the cross and thereby restoring our relationship with Him, but He also wants to use us to help brings others into the Kingdom of God. He has a purpose for our lives. God has a specific purpose for each one of us.
When we don’t base our identity and self-worth on God’s Word then it’s very hard to see that purpose much less walk in it.
Our significance in life is all about Jesus and how He can use us to make a difference in the lives of our families, friends and the people we come into contact each and every day.
Live Purposefully in Christ
Only those things we do for Jesus Christ will last for eternity. What we do and say for Christ will last for eternity no matter how insignificant it may seem to us.
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8
“If any man’s work remains he shall receive a reward.”
1 Cor 3: 14
This doesn’t have to be overcomplicated either. Sometimes we wonder,
“what can I do?”
We feel “insignificant” or we think “I’m only one person”.
God’s Character Goals For Us
As a Christian we need to apply God’s character goals to our lives, such as the fruit of the spirit. Our true success is about who we are are- our identity in Christ and our growth in character. It is accepting God’s goal for our lives and becoming what and who He has called us to be.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Joshua 1:7-8 NIV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Galatians 5: 22-24 MEV
Anything we do in the name of Jesus, with the right motives, will last for eternity.
- a kind word
- giving someone in need a meal
- sharing the gospel message with someone who needs to hear it
- using your skills to honor God.
These are only a few examples. It’s about not only the big opportunities, but the little, every day moments that matter the most.
Conclusion
The definition of significance in life is about becoming who God created us to be. To live purposefully with eternity in mind is the most rewarding and purposeful thing that any of us can do in this life. We all want to live with significance in life.
However, we don’t all have to be missionaries to a foreign country or be in full time ministry.
We just have to let God lead us right where we are at and let Him speak through our actions, motives and our words.
When we do that, our lives will be full of significance and purpose.
You may want to check out my previous post in this series:
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