As I was watching the Truth Project the other night I was struck by one of the things that Dr. Del Tackett touched on: the hunger for significance that we all feel. He talked about it briefly and I’d like to expand on what he said a little more. If you haven’t seen the Truth Project, I’ll take the time here to briefly explain his thoughts as well.
We all have buried inside of us the desire to be significant, the desire to have meaning to other people. We want to be important; we want to truly matter to someone, and most often to many people. We want people to look to us and say, “That man there, he really knows what he’s talking about.” It’s simply a part of us. I’d even say that this desire is magnified greatly by the internet.
We see internet “superstars” literally made overnight. All it takes is one blog post on the front page of Digg and the small time blogger you once new and appreciated is speaking to the masses. The internet has greatly increased the possibility to be seen, to be heard. But often it’s just out of reach, just a few hundred followers away.
The Bible tells us a story of just such a desire to be significant. 1 Samuel 18 tells us that David became successful at whatever it was that Saul gave him to do. Then David began to receive the accolades of the people. They sang in the streets: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” The Bible tells us that this galled Saul. HE should have been receiving those praises! After all, HE was the king, the ruler of the mighty nation of Israel! Saul bought the lie of the world, that the praises of the people were what really mattered.
The Bible goes on to tells us that Saul even went as far as trying to kill David. But what scares me the most about this story? I see myself in Saul. I see a man jealous of the praises that others receive. I think that if we look closely, we can see Saul in all of us. The desire to be significant often takes us to the edge, and sometimes it drags us over.
Significance for significance’s sake is what is wrong. Using this for Christ’s glory and influence is what matters.
In the end, significance comes from the One who created and redeemed us. Only through Christ can that desire be fulfilled as we bring others to Him eternally. Christ’s work is the only thing that can truly satisfy us. Pray for Christ’s guidance as you continue through your life, ask that He might guide you and keep you in His perfect plan.
(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrec/2893549851/)
