SEARCHING FOR SIGNIFICANCE

Matthew 5:3 (Amplified)  Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! 

Why so we waste so much time searching for significance?  We strive to be loved, to be admired, to be important to be taken seriously, to be liked (on Facebook).  We all (for the most part) seem to be searching for significance.  We want to have a purpose to our life, we want our life to have meaning and substance.  We want to be known.   We want to be noticed.  

Trophies and newspaper reports are saved to proclaim our significance when we do something out of the ordinary.  Professional athletes and stars have trophy rooms built into their homes where they display all their awards to prove their significance.  Even some of us have our trophies and awards plastered on our walls and shelves to display for all to see how significant we are.  

That's all well and good except for most of us those display do nothing except boost our egos.  "Look at me and what I have accomplished in my life"  Yet so many of these people are still living empty lives searching for significance.  Trophies and awards are actually just junk that will eventually be thrown away and disregarded.    These trophies and awards do not bring a steady stream of joy and happiness.  Trying to feel significant often brings depression and even sometimes suicide.

Think of some of the stars who have committed suicide or died of drug overdoses.  They had so many trophies and awards, yet they were still unhappy.  Robin Williams, one of the funnies comedians ever, brought so much joy and laughter into other peoples lives, yet he lived a depressed life and killed himself.  Whitney Houston, given a voice like an angel, died from a drug overdose.  Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, the list could go on and on and on.  These people died searching for significance. 

Significance is empty!  Significance is unrealistic!  Significance brings death!  At least for me it does.  As a believer in Jesus Christ, I realize that I am nothing without Him.  I can do nothing without Him.  I am weak and powerless.  I am an insignificant nothing without Him.  I am helpless and hopeless without Him.  My life has no significance without Jesus Christ.

"Poor in Spirit" in some religions means to be walking around in sack cloth and ashes.  It can mean walking around with a "Woe is me" attitude always looking down at the dirt because that is what you are.  We have really allowed this phrase, "poor in spirit" to become this weak, pathetic, pitiful existence.  Some religions think the more pitiful you are, the less happy you are means you're closer to God.

I'm sorry but I disagree totally!!  "Poor in Spirit" (at least to me) means to be happy no matter what your circumstances are right now.  Because I can do nothing, but through Jesus Christ I can do all things.  In my weakness God is made strong.  Being "poor in spirit" to me means I am insignificant because to be honest, my life without Jesus Christ is meaningless and empty.  I deserve none of the grace and blessings God has given me in my life, yet He gives them so freely.  I have done nothing to earn eternal life except to believe in Jesus Christ.  

I walk around with my head held high and my hands raised in praise because I am an insignificant piece of the puzzle that God is using.  Totally unworthy but full of gratitude that the saving grace of Jesus Christ has allowed me to do what I do.  I don't need trophies or awards, I need more of Jesus.  

Lord forgive me for searching for significance in things of this world.  Lord I am nothing without you so continue to work in me and through me to form me into your image more and more each day, in Jesus name I pray, amen