The Search for Significance

12 The Search For SignificanceAnother close friend advised, "You shouldn't haveany problems, Lisa, you're a Christian. With God'shelp, you can work it out."Like a fall on a jagged rock, the comments hurtdeeply. Lisa began to doubt herself and wonder ifshe was capable of building a successful marriageand family. Feeling like a failure, she reasonedthat perhaps she deserved a broken marriage: perhapsit was her fault and God was punishing herfor her sins.Confused and frustrated, both Brad and Lisawere searching for significance in their own way— Brad in his success as a lawyer and Lisa in hersuccess as a wife and mother. Their lives began toreflect that strange combination of hopelessnessand compulsion. Sadly, neither Brad nor Lisarealized that their search should both begin andend with God's Word, In the Scriptures, God suppliesthe essentials to discover our true significanceand worth. The first two chapters of Genesisrecount man's creation, revealing man's intendedpurpose (to honor God) and man's value (that he isa special creation of God). Also, John 10:10reminds us how much God actually treasures Hiscreation in that Christ came so that man mightexperience an "abundant life." However, Christiansneed to realize that this abundant life is lived in areal world filled with pain, rejection, and failure.Therefore, experiencing the abundant life Godintended for us does not mean our lives will beproblem-free. On the contrary, life itself is simplya series of problems that act as obstacles to oursearch for significance, and the abundant life isthe experience of God's love, forgiveness, andpower in the midst of those problems. TheScriptures warn us that we live in the midst of awarfare that can destroy our faith, lower our selfworth,and lead us into depression. In his letter tothe Ephesians, Paul instructs us to put on our

Our Search For Significance 13armor so we can be equipped for spiritual battle.However, it often seems that unsuspectingChristians are the last to know there is a battlegoing on and that Christ has ultimately won thewar. They are surprised and confused bydifficulties, thinking that the Christian life is aplayground, not a battlefield.As Christians, our fulfillment in this lifedepends not on our skills to avoid life's problems,but rather on our ability to apply God's specificsolutions to our problems. An accurate understandingof God's truth is the first step in discoveringour significance and worth. Unfortunately,many Christians have been exposed toinadequate teaching from both religious andsecular sources concerning their self-worth. As aresult, Christians today have distorted selfperceptionsand are experiencing hopelessnessrather than the rich and meaningful life Godintended for them.Christian psychologist Lawrence J. Crabb, Jr.,describes our need in this way: "The basic personalneed of each person is to regard himself as aworthwhile human being." And, according toWilliam Glasser, "Everyone aspires to have ahappy, successful, pleasurable belief in himself."Whether labeled "self-esteem" or "self-worth,"the feeling of significance is crucial to theemotional, spiritual, and social stability of people.The need to believe we are significant is thedriving element within the human spirit.Understanding this single need opens the door tounderstanding our actions and attitudes.What a waste to attempt to change behaviorwithout truly understanding the driving needsthat cause that behavior! Yet, millions of peoplespend a lifetime searching miserably for love,acceptance, and success without understanding theneed that compels them. We must understand that