Are we addicted to Significance?

Welcome my friend! Come on in for our time of tea & reflection together.

It has been raining here, the plants & ducks are loving it.

Although, not all the birds are loving it as I saw a family of Kookaburras, perched on our clothes line, looking rather wet with punk featherdos. LoL!

I’ve made tea in an interesting little glass teapot. With it we have slices of gf freshly baked Blueberry, Coconut & almond loaf.

We’re sitting in my loungeroom listening to the pitter patter of the rain upon our front pergola roof.

Which is quite soothing…

Wanting Significance

If we’re totally honest with ourselves, we all yearn to have some type of significance & purpose in this life, don’t we?

It may be to correct a social injustice or find the cure for cancer.

It may be to make a positive contribution within our community.

Or it may be to leave a legacy in our professional life or for our family.

For Christians it’s often to have an impact upon the world in sharing the Good News of Christ.

Whatever it may be, we want to make a significant & positive contribution to those around us.

But has wanting to have Significance become the focus rather then the outcome?

It’s an interesting question, don’t you think?

I found this proposal in a professional article recently.

And it gave me much food for thought! 

And I came to the conclusion that there’s a very fine line between wanting to make a postive contribution to our fellow man & having a Significance addiction.

Let’s explore this, shall we?

We live in an age where wanting to have Significance, either postive or negative is at fever pitch

We can see this on social media platforms, reality TV shows, FB selfies & YouTube broadcasts.

You may be thinking at this point; isn’t that attention seeking rather then wanting Significance Jennifer?

Well, yes & no.

Let me explain this by looking at the following definitions;

Significance, is to be seen as worthy of importance.

Attention seeking, is wanting to be seen as worthy of importance by getting another’s attention.

There isn’t a great deal of difference.

Both definitions are wanting to have some type of significant importance with others.

Now I can hear many saying the following;

“Jennifer, I’m not seeking importance or attention. So I’m not addicted to having significance!”

I thought the same until I pondered & reflected upon the following.

How often have we…

Got slightly miffed because someone else was offered the position that we thought we should have been offered; at work, in voluntary work, on the sports team or in ministry?

Or

Felt we weren’t appreciated for something we really worked hard for with great sacrifice.

Or

Felt rejected in not being consulted when we may have many years of experience both in life or professionally in that area.

And

Felt left out of social, church or family gatherings?

Interesting…isn’t it?

We all want to have some type of Significance, don’t we?

We actually already have great significance!

But often don’t recognise it!

For we are called God’s own masterpiece!

Let’s pause for a moment & really let that sink in my friend.

The Creator of the Universe calls you & I His masterpieces!

Now that is significant!

We are told,

“…[God] did form my inward parts; [God] did knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Psalm 139: 13 paraphrased

Then when we come into a personal relationship with God, through His Son Jesus we are also told,

” For we are God’s own masterpiece, recreated in Christ Jesus [born anew ] that we may do those good works which God planned beforehand for us that we should live the good life which He planned & made us ready to live.”

Ephesians 2:10 Refer 2

In other words we are very important to God!

Who has already planned a life of significance & purpose for us even before we were born!

How exciting is that?

So, in this season of celebrating Jesus’ miraculous birth.

Let us remember He is the most Significant One & it’s through His love & grace that we have significance.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or

in Prayer

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© 2021 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Tijana Drndarski on Pexels.com 

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