Significance...

I had a great discussion with some men this morning about the issue of significance. We all want to make a difference, we all want to do something of value that will last. The question is what does bring significance and value to our lives? What motivates us as we live?

One person has said, "Significance is not possible unless what we do contributes to the welfare of others." Jesus emphasized the same point when he said,

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

If this is true, then the question we must ask is this--How am I making a difference in
the lives of others? Am I serving others or am I really trying to get them to serve me? But, let's be honest, sometimes it is hard to know if this is happening or not.

As a pastor, it is much easier for me to measure my significance by things like:

Are more people coming today than last week?

Are we meeting our budget?

Are our small groups growing?

How many positive emails do I get as opposed to negative ones?

When I do this, I find myself getting too focused on me and what I am doing and I also drive myself crazy. I do believe significance is measured by my willingness to serve others. Maybe I should ask:

Whom did I seek to serve today?

How did I respond to the one who interrupted my schedule?

What sacrifices did I make to meet the needs of someone else?

So, what do you think? How do you measure significance in your life? When you go to bed at night, how do you know if you've truly made a difference in someone's life?

I'd love to hear from you...