Ever wonder? What is your significance? I have. In fact, I've wondered about this space I occupy since I was a little girl in braids.
I remember looking at my school photos and thinking I wasn't as pretty as Francis Acord. I remember thinking, I'm not as smart as Gail Kelly. Inevitably, my significance was determined by how I measured up to other girls my age. I've grown up now. But I must confess, I'm still tempted to measure my significance in comparison to others around me.
Significance is the imprint of your life on this temporal place called earth. Lately, I've considered it alot. If I were to go to be with the Lord, what essence would I leave behind? What difference would I have made in my fifty-plus years in the scheme of things worthy of remembering? And what does it matter, anyway?
Would my precious china cup be full of goodness and love to pour out at the Saviour's feet? Or would it be stained with regrets? Missed opportunities, unfulfilled intentions? Would it be overflowing with priceless pearls of wisdom? Or verbal sarcasm, self-exalting praise? If closely examined, would it show forgiveness or grudges? Would it show pessimism or optimism? Would it hold memories of laughter, understanding and kindness? Or would it be chipped with tears, suspicion, and ire? I wonder.
Yesterday, between Sunday School and Worship, I wondered. I'd made a couple of statements in Bible-study and felt rebuffed. I can't explain exactly what I mean. It just happened. And I wondered. Do I have anything to contribute? Is what I know to be true in my walk with the Lord of any importance? Have I learned anything worth sharing? Are my answers to questions lame expressions of a need to be heard, affirmed or validated? I wondered. Later, as I washed my hands in the restroom, I prayed silently. "Lord, am I worth anything to you?"
I took a seat in the sanctuary. (Sanctuary--the name itself, conjures up feelings of peace, protection, and comfort.) People were milling about, greeting each other. I was chatting with my two little granddaughters--happy to have them with me. And then it happened.
A man from our Sunday School department put his hand on my shoulder and bent over to speak. He was no one I'd talked to that morning. He had not been present in my Bible study group. He'd offered a prayer for all the prayer requests from our department that morning. He bound satan and brought the power of God's Spirit into our midst in a mighty way as he prayed in Jesus' name. My spirit rejoiced at his words. But I had not even made eye-contact with him that morning. Yet now, he spoke to me in a gentle voice, "I just wanted to tell you, I see the Spirit of God in you. His spirit is so evident in your life." His hand on my shoulder radiated a warmth I'm inadequate to describe. Then he walked away. His words echoed in my mind.
No explanations. No details. That is significance. Herman. He left a God-blessed essence in my life. In my heart. My mind reeled with wonder and awe. He was the one who had the evidence of God's Spirit in his life. He. Yet, he saw something in me, and God compelled him to share it at a moment of doubt in my life. A messenger from God.
Our significance...our essence, our meaning--is far greater than we can understand. It is not something we actually see or manufacture on our own. It comes from within--born of the Spirit of God. I praise the Lord for His gentle reminder from one of His sages. I praise God today that I can rest in Him to make me significant to others--to His plan for me on this earth. God didn't stop there.
Our music minister told us to go greet each other in the sanctuary, and say hello to the visitors. When I returned to my seat, there was a brightly colored gift bag in my seat. I had no idea who it was from. After the service the girls and I opened it. It contained a book entitled, LIVING SACRIFICE and a beautiful mug with colored rhinestones attached to its sides. A card revealed a friend's appreciation to me for something I'd done last summer. I'd totally forgotten about it. But she hadn't. Amazing. I questioned my significance just moments before. And God had the answer prepared long before I asked the question. How Sovereign is our God? How absolutely benevolent!
Today, oh Lord, I bring my cup. I empty it of myself and all my thoughts of value, worth and importance. I give it to You and ask You to fill it with Yourself. May what I offer from it to others be a well-Spring of You and You only. [copyrighted, selahVtoday,2007]
Very good post!
Thanks for sharing these thoughts of yours, SelahV!
God bless you!
Posted by: Rachel Marie | February 06, 2007 at 09:38 AM