TRUE SIGNIFICANCE?

Are We Living A Life Of True Significance?

 

“I may, I suppose, regard myself as a relatively successful man. People occasionally stare at me in the streets. That‘s fame; I can fairly easily earn enough money to qualify for admission to the higher slopes of the Internal Revenue Service. That‘s success. Furnished with money and a little fame… [I] may partake of friendly diversions. That‘s pleasure. It might even happen… that something I said or wrote was sufficiently heeded for me to persuade myself that it represented a serious impact on our time. That‘s fulfillment… “I beg you to believe me, multiply these tiny triumphs by millions… and they are nothing, less than nothing.“ So wrote the highly visible and “successful” Malcolm Muggeridge.

H. L. Mencken sardonically stated, “The problem with life is not that it‘s a tragedy, but that it‘s a bore.“

King Solomon echoes Mencken’s cynicism in declaring, For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.  Eccl 2:22-23

We too may have fame, success, pleasure… perhaps even a measure of fulfillment. But the question we must ask of ourselves is, “From God‘s perspective, am I living a life of true significance?“

The following questions may prove helpful in assessing that penetrating inquiry:

1. What is my unique role in God’s greater plan?

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:3-5

2. What eternal legacy will I leave behind?

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 2 Peter 3:11

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Peter 3:14

3. What will it take for me to finish well?

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Cor 9:24-25

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58

4. How can I leverage my life for maximum contribution to my fellow man and for the Kingdom of God?

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.  Prov 4:18

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:14-16

5. Am I clear in knowing how to get from where I am to where I want to go in life?

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.  Prov 17:24

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  Eph 5:16-17

“Only one life will soon be past. Only what‘s done for Christ will last.“