Are you a person of significance? Does your life have meaning and purpose? When you sit in your quiet place, away from all prying eyes and the public face, do you really believe you are living a life of significance? Who are you influencing or impacting? Is it tied to money, fame, ego or do you measure it through those closest to you?
Step 1: Recognising what Significance is
No man on his dying bed ever uttered the words that he wanted to make more money or get a faster car or be famous, etc. Most reflect back on their life and consider those they have closest to them and did they make the best of that relationship – was I a good son/daughter?… dad/mum?… husband/wife … friend?… colleague, etc. Significance is found in relationship.
Step 2: Who do you want to be significant to?
To answer this we must take a step back into the future. So to help you determine this, here is a small exercise.
Find a quiet place away from all distractions for a couple hours – technology free (no mobile, phone, Internet). Quieten yourself and let your imagination take you to the day of your funeral. Sounds a bit freaky, but stick with me here.
Imagine where it might be, who is there, what they are doing, saying. Then, get a pen and paper and write out what you would love people to say about you and your life and what it meant to those who are attending your funeral. This is very sobering process but extremely important. Be succinct and cover all of the people who matter to you.
Once you have completed writing out your Eulogy, reflect on it and consider what is the difference between your Eulogy you just wrote and what reality is right now. The difference will demand you make some changes to your priorities in your life.
I know for me, it made me realise, I needed to spend more planned and intentional time with my children, and my wife, rather than spending more time in my business. There was a cost to this but it was just monetary compared to having a significant relationship with my family. My priorities had shifted!
Step 3: You will need help along the way!
The cares of the world crowd in on us, work pressures will crave and demand your attention and it is hard to keep focused on the things that really matter.
For me, I found that I didn’t have to do it alone. I wanted to be significant to so many different people and it seemed an impossible task!
The Good News is that my Creator knows me intimately, my every weakness, flaws and strengths. As I spend time reading His “Living a Significant Life Instruction Manual” which we call the Holy Bible, I find ways daily to take small steps in the right direction towards my goal of significance.
In addition, I came to know my Creator and His Son, Jesus, intimately. Now I can ask for specific help, advice and wisdom…it’s called prayer (just talking with God).
If you don’t know God intimately, seek Him out…He is waiting to chat with you… even now. Grab a Bible (even an online one) and read the Book of John (The Holy Bible is made up of 66 Books, John is the 43rd one).
Jesus was one of significance. We split world history around His life – B.C. & A.D – B.C stands for “before Christ” and A.D. stands for the Latin phrase “Anno Domini” which means “in the year of our Lord.” The B.C. / A.D. dating system is not taught in the Bible. It actually was not fully implemented and accepted until several centuries after Jesus’ death. Now, that is significance.
And even in His death He uttered some powerful words. Words I hope to say the moment I die and enter into Eternity:
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30
“It is finished.” He had completed all He had come to Earth to do… for me AND you.
Discover who Jesus is…this is one of the best steps you will ever take towards significance!