Search for Significance

Search for Significance is the title of a book for all of us. It was written by a man named Robert S. McGee. I had the privilege of listening to this man in person during the 80's. Many of his books are hard to find or out of print. That is why I write to you today. I'd like to put you in contact with his work and ministry. This is his web address: www.mcgeepublishing.com

I'm sure all of you have noticed as have I that people are preoccupied with themselves. Test it out. Say hello, how are you, and notice how the other person soon talks about themselves before they show any interest in you. I had one friend one time that always asked about me first, but I usually diverted to her. She never asked again. We'd talk for hours. When we said goodbye she realized I'd not spoken about my life, but by then, the time was gone. I love her dearly and accept this relationship as it is for she has a kind heart.

We all fall into that trap..... but... Conversation means two people share equally and enjoy each other's lives, show interest, care, even offer to pray together if Christianity is in the picture. Check your conversations. Do your friends get negative, do they rant and rave about something, or dump all their pain on you? Are there any positives, do you leave uplifted, encouraged? Probably not. They are in search of significance, a healing because they do not understand how much Christ loves them.

Another scenario is when someone wants to tell you how great they are, how great their lives are and their importance in society. They too are in search for significance. Addictions, dysfunctional families (we are all dysfunctional by the way), codependency, abuse sufferers all are in search of significance. The examples can go on forever.

So what is healthy? Lives that center on Christ, not self. The knowledge that we are all equally loved, valued and accepted by Him and expressing ourselves accordingly. Anything else is at the very least boring.

The Scriptures tell us to consider others as more important than ourselves, to be concerned about the other person's welfare, to care for the sick, those in prison, orphans, widows and the list goes on. We are asked by Christ to deny ourselves and to take up our cross and follow Him. What does all this mean? Simply said it means our only significance is found in Christ.

Do you know anyone who would lay down their life for you and in that process give you Eternal Life? That person would have to be the most powerful, most loving individual in the universe. His name is Jesus Christ and He did exactly that for all of us. That gives us significance.

The rest that we search for is dysfunctional and comes as a result of the fallen world we live in. Let the life of Christ free you from a wasted existence of searching for significance. The real treasure has already been given to us, the real search has already been done. What we really search for in life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is the abundant life and this is ours through Christ.

No, we do not need to love ourselves more, to get our piece of the pie, to mow the other person down if he gets in the way of what we want. We do not need toys called Bratz, or more Mean Girls, or powerful men. We do not need to be the richest, most beautiful, or the smartest person in the world to gain significance. And those who have given up because the search for significance failed, those in sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling addictions and co-dependant relationships look up. Your freedom, redemption is found in your creator, Christ.

There are many people who point to Christ for this freedom. Robert S. McGee is one of them.