Significance

Significance is related to time and eternity. What is forgotten in time is of little significance. What is remembered for eternity is of great significance. According to Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, God has set eternity in our hearts and appointed a time for everything. If we want to increase our significance, then we should focus our energies on those activities that remain forever. Paul wrote, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promises for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

There are two tragedies concerning the concept of significance. The first tragedy is the significance the world attaches to things that are irrelevant in eternity, such as the World Series of baseball, and moon shots. They certainly impact our present world at the time, but what countries participated in the World Cup 15 years ago and who won the World Series 20 years ago? Who was the most valuable player? Who cares? The world tries to maintain the significance of athletic events by keeping records for years, but the general population soon forgets. It was a significant achievement for mankind when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, but now flights into space barely make the headlines and many young people don’t know who Neil Armstrong is. Few adults know who his traveling companions were.

The second tragedy is the sense of insignificance that Christians feel concerning their service for God. The world makes such a big deal about “significant” events that quickly fade from our memories and the daily events of one Christian or local church go relatively unnoticed. But what happens in heaven when one sinner repents? All the angels in heaven rejoice. That person’s name is now written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and he or she will live in the presence of God forever. Someone teaching a group of little children in church may feel insignificant compared to the stars of Hollywood, or the celebrities in music and sports. But what could be more significant than to teach a young child the truth. What they choose to believe will affect them for all eternity.

There is no need to search for significance, because there are no insignificant children of God. There are no insignificant Christian ministries that are doing God’s will no matter how obscure. We are in the significant business of laying up treasures in Heaven. We will live a very significant life if we build upon the foundation that Christ has laid, but everything we build for ourselves in our own strength will be torn down. Someone once said, “There is only one life; it will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last.”

Dr. Neil

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