Significance – Meaning, Importance and Godly Worth

True significance is not something we manufacture; it is something we receive. This article looks at where lasting worth comes from, the choices that shape it, and how serving others causes it to grow.

Significance Rooted in God’s Love

Our significance depends on the fact that God loves us and Jesus died for us. We can’t add to it by achievement or detract from it by failure. In Christ, everyone has the potential to do great things as they walk in humble obedience (Mk 16:15-18; Jn 14:12).

There is a longing in every heart to find significance – find yours in fulfilling God’s call on your life. Although you may feel insignificant because you are ‘only a speck in the universe’, you are made in the image of God and Jesus gave His life to redeem you. You are of such great value and significance He puts His Spirit within to guide and direct. Therefore, it is not so much what I am in myself but who He is in me that is important in life.

In humility, yet with gratitude, measure your significance against God’s standard, for the cross is Heaven’s measure of your worth: Jesus loved you enough to die for you personally. He did not die for humanity in general, or for the crowd as a mass, but for you as an individual – your name was on His heart as He gave His life (Gal 2:20). Such a price was never paid for something worthless, so any estimate of yourself that falls short of this is a misunderstanding of the value God places on you.

Humility in this is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less, seeing yourself as God sees you. Gratitude is the right response – not pride in what you have achieved, but thankful wonder at what Christ has done. When your worth is anchored in His love rather than in comparison with others, you are freed from both false modesty and conceit, and can live confidently in the significance He has given you (Rom 12:3; Eph 2:8-10).

It is of utmost importance to have a solid foundation for our lives and then to persist in building correctly. Besides Jesus being at the centre, our continuing responsibility is to make right choices and monitor what we allow into our lives, as this has a bearing on what comes out (Prov 4:23; Mt 7:21-27, 15:11; Mk 7:15; 1 Cor 3:10-15).

Do not overlook the significance of foundations, choices and character

Choices That Determine Destiny

The various choices we make are significant, determining our direction in life and even our eternal destiny – whether we accept Christ as our Saviour and walk obediently with Him, resulting in eternal life, or reject the offer of salvation and live in rebellion to Him, with the consequence of eternal damnation. The world admires those who are successful and contribute in some significant way to the wellbeing of society, yet if they die as unbelievers their considerable achievements will not gain them access to heaven (Eph 2:8-9).

Do not underestimate the significance of living a consistent, Godly life. Walking uprightly by having the fear of God, being open to the Holy Spirit and having a Scripture-informed conscience guiding you will result in good decisions and a significant testimony to the saving power of God.

Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God – Micah 6:8

Significance Grows Through Serving Others

The significance of our life emerges from the impact we have on the lives of others. The more you focus on serving others, to help them and build them up little by little, the more you will grow in significance. Adding value to their lives will enhance your own. Do, say and be something that makes a difference in someone’s life.

Don’t wait for the few, huge opportunities of life in which to respond; rather, consistently focus on the seemingly insignificant yet numerous occasions there are to bless others. We often want to achieve the spectacular, ‘taking the city’, but the Bible declares the person who controls his spirit is greater (Prov 16:32).

Reflect on a significant biblical character and what made them one

Reflection and Application:

Identify one significant biblical character and note what set them apart for God’s purposes.
Review the influences you allow into your life this week, guarding your heart (Prov 4:23).
Serve one person each day in a small, practical way and notice how it builds significance.
Replace any feeling of insignificance with the truth of your worth in Christ and His Spirit within you.