“What Makes You Significant?”

Monday, February 18, 2019

Bible Reading: Psalm 73

There are some things in life I may never understand… like how “Survivor” and “The Bachelor” can be some of the biggest shows on television. Don’t get me wrong I understand their draw… These shows are entertaining because they are “unscripted”, spontaneous, and relatable; but it appears to me that the real draw of reality television is that ordinary people can become so important that millions will watch them.

Think about it… shows like “The Biggest Loser”, “America’s Got Talent” and “Top Chef” give people – just like you and me – a chance to be celebrities. It is my belief that reality shows have become so popular because as viewers, we can relate to the characters, and somewhere in the back of our minds we think, “That could be me...”

Maybe becoming a celebrity isn’t at the top of your list… but at our core we all desire to feel significant. And much like the reality television craze, our “ideal” of what that looks like is motivated by what we see in the lives of those around us. This is nothing new: the psalmist Asaph struggled with this as he observed the people around him.

“… I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death, their body is fat and pampered. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind.” (Psalm 73.3-5, AMP)

Asaph wanted what these people had. He looked at their lives and thought, “That’s it.” But then he realized something: the things that made these people significant were all temporary. “They are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!” (Psalm 73.19). As Asaph considered the result of their lifestyle (Psalm 73.17) he understood that significance doesn’t come from what you own, how you look, or even what other people think of you—it comes from knowing God and living in light of eternity. “…those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.” (Psalm 73.27)

When was the last time you considered what makes you feel significant? Are you motivated by recognition from others? Do you want more than anything to be accomplished in your career? How important to you is the house you live in, the clothes you wear, or the relationships you keep? Do you want the life that others have, or are you content with knowing that God is faithful to those who are faithful to him? When it is all said and done, “our heart and our flesh will fail”, but God will not (Psalm 73.26).

As you ponder what truly makes you significant, consider Asaph’s conclusion to the matter: “…for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” (Psalm 73.28)

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