Yesterday, we talked about how before there’s significance there’s insignificance.
Looking for more in the series? Visit the 31 Days of Significance page.
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I’ve sat many a time in the back of the church, the corner of a party, the fringes of a crowd feeling like I don’t matter. Overlooked. Unspoken to. Passed by. I’m a person, but nobody cares, that’s how Self speaks sometimes.
Insignificance is defined as “not significant as: a) lacking meaning or importance, b) not worth considering, c) lacking weight, position, or influence, d) small in size, quantity, or number” (def). All too often this is the way we may feel.
Insignificance is an ugly beast that crawls into the unraveling corners of our lives, the parts we smooth over with our hands wishing we’d taken an iron to them.
It preaches our worthlessness,
- You’re not enough.
- You don’t matter.
- You never do anything right.
- No one cares about you.
And instead of looking to the cross of Christ, we silently hang our heads low and nod.
We agree and say, “Yes, I am insignificant.”
We take on the lies, strap them to our back and live out this hell-sent insignificance.
But God,
Insignificance denies the calling and position God has given us in Christ. It is thinking of our self as less in a way that hinders God’s plan and destiny for us. Ultimately, it is unbelief over what God has created us to be.
Insignificance is also selfish. It starts with me. It’s all about me. It’s self-centric.
When we choose (and, yes, I do believe it is a choice) to live in insignificance, in essence we look at God’s glorious plan for our lives, turn away, and say, “I can do better.”
Then we’re miserable.
The truth of the matter is we have great significance. But this significance is not rooted in and of ourselves, but in Christ.
Isn’t that the “secret” of freedom, fulfillment, and fruitfulness in life? It’s not in us, but Christ.
What has insignificance looked like in your life? How might you define it?
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I think our measure of significance is a double-edged sword. We’re taught to value ourselves and we’re excellent at belittling ourselves, but we also don’t believe God has our best interest at heart, so it’s like we can’t win. I think a lot of us, especially myself, have this need to control and handle every aspect of our lives in order to feel significant and that’s why, when God throws us a curveball, we automatically assume we’re not getting somewhere and we’re not enough.
I like how you pointed out our need to control…that’s definitely an issue with me as well. If God calls me significant, but I just see my sin and keep trying to work to be significant…that’s problematic. Especially because most times I’m trying to be something or someone other than what God wants me to be or has made me.
Good thoughts.
It’s been seeing all of my failures and letting that define me. Choosing to sit in the muck & mire. When I speak out of turn, when I remember all my mistakes, when I even look at how I failed in my dating relationship with Ben (many years ago). It’s seeing it on the big screen & believing that God’s grace doesn’t cover that. Even reading old posts where I cringe; rather, than hear Jesus say, “Sweetie, that’s part of the process.” When my significance is wrapped up in what others think of me or even what I think of me & not my perfect Father. Choosing to be dependent on other’s affirmation of my worth by what I do; instead, of God’s affirmation simply because I am his daughter. It’s humbling.
You know what? So often I find myself saying something and then I realize it was stupid or the wrong timing…and I almost automatically start imagining what the people think of me and how I must have somehow lost my “cool points.” But lately, when I’ve been aware, I say to myself, “I’m secure. I’m secure.” Because, really? I am secure in Jesus and my stupid mumbling doesn’t change His love for me or His call on my life.
And, yes! The humbling! To do nothing and be accepted? To not have to perform to be loved? Unheard of in this world! It leaves me feeling uncomfortable to know that God just loves me…and I can’t do anything positive or negative to change that!
This a beautiful post! I agree… the battle truly lies within our minds most of the time or our feelings, no matter what our mind or feelings say, God says – We matter!
Thanks for your wonderful heart and sharing His truth.
Blessings,
Danise
Great post and really hit home with me. I sat at charity event Saturday night, berating myself for not being more social and interactive with others. I really did feel insignificant. Sometimes we become what we focus on and if I turn my eyes and heart back on God, knowing I am His child – I think I wouldn’t let the self doubt and pity take over as easily.