“Why am I here?” “What is my purpose?” These are two of what is known as the “great philosophical worldview questions.” They’re questions we’ve all asked from time to time. Certainly, on more than one occasion, I’ve dropped to my knees to beg God for the answers. And so have you, I’m sure.
The Search for Significance
We all want to feel like we’re consuming Earth’s resources for a purpose. We all want to be needed, significant and worth something. But too often we look to possessions, achievements or people to define these things.
In doing so, many of us live desperate for the arrival of a when.
- “When I graduate, then I’ll have accomplished something.”
- “When I get married, then I’ll be complete.”
- “When I have children, then I’ll have a legacy worth living for.”
- “When I get that promotion, then I’ll have arrived.”
The problem with this is that the arrival of a dream never fills you with the significance you thought it would. When you’ve finally reached the level you waited so long for, a new one is introduced. Like chasing after a dangling carrot, significance is always just out of reach, but never attained. And so the search just goes on and on.
You’re reading from the experience of someone who’s done this more than I wish to admit. So far, I’ve been blessed with some tremendous favor in the first few decades of life. But the excitement of shaking hands with famous political figures, a graduate degree, published articles, a book and TV appearances each quickly faded and never gave me the sense of worth I thought they would. And then dangerously, when opportunities seemed to slow for a season, I nervously questioned if God had moved on from me.
The Source of Significance
Finally, God intervened in a very matter-of-fact way. He instructed me to stop working for significance and start to receive it. With this, I saw that I had two choices. I could continue the search for worth in achievements and in the eyes of other people. Or I could start to see my worth in the eyes of the One who saw me worthy to lay down His life for.
This is a word for you, too. If you’re on the exhausting search for significance—stop! Find it in what Jesus said: “Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends … you did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:13–14, 16, MEV).
Check marks on your to-do list don’t determine your value. Trophies, pay raises, promotions and recognition don’t either. Hear this: There’s no greater worth than to be chosen to be a friend of God. And amazingly, you don’t have to work to achieve it, you simply believe it, receive it and rest in it. {eoa}
Kyle Winkler equips people to live in victory. His mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, is the No. 1 spiritual warfare app; and his recent scripture confessions album, Experience Freedom, has helped thousands identify with the truths of God’s Word. Kyle holds a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Regent University. Get daily encouragement from Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.
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