Searching for significance

Most people are involved in a frantic search for significance. A valueless, meaningless and uneventful life has become unbearable to them. They now hunger and thirst for an exciting and fulfilling life. Unfortunately, many of them either look for significance in the wrong areas or use wrong means to attain it.
Some look for significance in following certain celebrated leaders or in belonging to certain organisations deemed important. But they find no satisfaction. Others vainly search for significance in the acquisition of financial and material wealth.
Still others try to give value and purpose to their lives by honing their job skills and advancing their education. But hardly do they find significance in these things because the essential nature of significance in the eyes of God is out-ward-looking and not inward-looking. In other words significance lies in seeking to benefit others and not in self-gratification. It is mainly about making lasting impact on life through giving and not through getting.
Jesus Christ, the most significant person who ever lived on earth, gave a ninthbeatitude that centres on significance. This beatitude was not recorded in the gospels but it was revealed by Paul in the books of Acts. It reads, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Make no mistake about it; if your goal in life is significance then giving is your means.
Significant persons are givers. Here I am not only talking about giving tithes, offerings and alms in churches. Neither am I talking about giving money only. I mean giving in its general sense, giving according to ability, giving what you have. The idea behind this beatitude of significance is to give as much as you can. This is the wisdom of God. But the contrasting wisdom of this world is getting as much as you can. The contrast is rooted in the driving forces. The world is driven by lust which cries, ‘give me, give me right now.’ The kingdom of God is driven by love which says, ‘give away’.
If you feel that your life is boring and uneventful, then check your attitude towards this beatitude of significance. Pack it up with significance through giving to others.
Firstly, discover what talents, abilities and possessions you have.
Secondly, identify individuals and communities who need what you have.
Thirdly, start to cheerfully meet their needs. Do not worry about the size of your giving; it is the size of your heart that matters.  Just give the best you can and leave the rest to God. You can give a word of hope to the one who is hopeless. You can give your hand to the blind beggar. You can give an hour of teaching to a struggling student. 
You can give a phone call to a lonely relative or friend in the world where everyone is sending “please call me back” messages. You can visit the sick orphan and pray together for healing. You can give a food hamper of a few dollars this coming Christmas season to a starving widow. You can give an interesting or valuable book or Bible to somebody in need of it.  You can give your old clothes which you no longer use. You can give your time to witness to someone about Christ.
But will continual giving not leave me empty or impoverished? No. When you engage in giving you will soon realise that your own abilities and talents are improved and your possessions are increased. Why? Proverbs says that he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (11:24,25). You cannot give without receiving because giving and receiving are as inseparable as the two sides of the same coin. Luke 6:38 says that if you give it shall be given back to you. It is like a boomerang; you keep throwing it; it keeps bouncing back to you. You earn respect and honour.
You get more prayers directed to God on your behalf in thanksgiving. Have you ever wondered why the people who are very rich are munificent givers towards charity? They are generous givers because they understand that significance lies in stewardship and not in acquisition of wealth. Their generosity has eternal significance.
Think of the lasting impact of Jairos Jiri in our nation; of Mother Theresa in the world; of Henry Ford in the motor industry; of the Wright brothers in inventing the aeroplane. These honourable people were not driven by money but by the desire to solve a problem and to make life in this world better.
Can you start now to be significant in your family, neighbourhood, nation and world? I know it is difficult to start especially if you have an inclination towards always getting. You can start as Moses’ rock that gives only when it is struck or as a sponge that gives only when it is squeezed.
The most important thing is to start, and with time you will come to the point of giving as a flower that delights to give.
 And when you reach that stage your search for significance will be over.
 
– If you want to give anything to rural orphans and widows call 0772 889 766 or e-mail mairos78 @yahoo.co.uk