TRACKS

My great-grandmother lived to be 103 years old.  She often told stories of life growing up in the western North Carolina mountains, and one story centered around her first encounter with an automobile.  One Sunday after church several members of the small community decided to make a trip down to the closest store at Booneford.  They had heard that an automobile had passed on the dirt road by the store a few days earlier, and they wanted to go see its tracks.  As though the machine was an animal, they were curious about the strange markings it would leave behind.

Tracks are funny things.  For the educated tracker, much can be told by the tracks of animals or people.  Where you are headed, how long ago you passed, how much you weigh, and to some degree  who you are, can all be contrived from your tracks.  They are what we leave behind.  And, we all want to leave behind something of worth, something that folks will remember, something they’ll recall at family gatherings… something they’ll talk about after we’re gone.  Some search for ways in this life to leave tracks that matter.  The purpose of this series is to consider our tracks (that which we leave behind), and attempt to determine what it means to live a significant life.

Perhaps a good place to start is with a good name.  The most discernible track that we leave behind may be the name we garner based on our reputation with others.

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”  Proverbs 22:1  (NIV)

Many attribute significance with wealth, and certainly king Solomon was as wealthy as they come for he made silver as common in Israel as pebbles along the road.  However, here he points out that great wealth is not as desirable as a good name.  Perhaps he knew that wealth was a relationship with things, while a good name was only made by relationships with people.  Solomon expounded earlier in the proverbs on how that good name might be attained.

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and good name in the sight of God and man.”  Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

Love and faith are the keys to leaving the right kind of tracks.  What have you got tied around your neck today?  What is written on the tablet of your heart? Are you chasing the wrong desires?  We lay down tracks every day – they say a lot about us.  What do your tracks say about you?

HANDS

I loved the hands of my great-grandmother. They were weathered and old, but I distinctly remember their soft gentle touch even to this day after many years. If you sat with her, and I did often as a little boy, she would grab up your hands in hers. Her hands were so different than mine, in a good way. I look forward to a day when we hold hands again.

If one aspect of significance is the tracks you leave behind, then what about the tracks you are yet to make. Many times we look to our future and our attitudes are varied. Some see a future through rose colored glasses. Some can only see obstacles standing in the way that they can’t imagine they’ll ever surpass. Some see narrowly with their blinders perfectly in play. And, perhaps most disturbing of all, some see nothing as though no hope can be seen from their current situation.

If we are all honest, we will admit we have all been at each of those places at different times in our lives. King David in the Old Testament certainly knew all those attitudes given the array of his experiences from great triumph to dismal failure. As 1st Chronicles closes we find King David making plans for one of his greatest passions: A temple for his Lord. He knows the temple will not be made under his watch for the Lord had told his as much. So, he carefully instructs his son Solomon and other prominent leaders within the kingdom.

In 1 Chronicles 29 beginning in verse 10, David offers one of the most compelling prayers of the Old Testament. Before the great assembly as he looked toward the future rejoicing greatly (v.9) he said…

“Praise be to you, O’Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O’Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours O’Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 (NIV)

What an incredible passage. You could write an entire series on these verses alone, but what I would like to draw your attention toward today is His hands. David says, “In YOUR hands are strength and power…” Since everything is His and all things are under His rule, our God possesses what you need for the future. Many look inward for strength and power. David said to look outward, but perhaps more poignantly to look upward. By turning to the Lord and discovering the plans He has – you will have a significant future.

He has you in His hands. Your part then is to merely acknowledge that wondrous fact and face the future in the comfort and peace of that knowledge knowing that His power and strength will sustain you in spite of your circumstances.

His hands are significant.

WInd

You can't see it.  You can't hold it.  But, you know it is there and you see how it leans on the trees and all things around you.  In my teens I camped extensively in the mountains of my youth, and I recall how the wind would rush through the trees displacing the leaves of summer.  In the quite of the night you would hear the disturbance a ways off and then louder would be the applause of the leaves as the gust approached eventually washing over the camp.  Then things would quiet again as though the wind had never come. I would hold my breath listening for the next sign of wind or perhaps the rain that would come in on the coat tails of that wind. 

Ecclesiastes is one of the most difficult to read, if not down right bleak books of God's word.  The writer (most likely King Solomon, but there is some debate) paints a picture of life as mostly meaningless.  On ten occasions he gives account of this meaninglessness as "chasing after the wind." 

Concepts that most consider worthwhile are listed as meaningless.  The pursuit of wisdom, pleasure, toil, advancement, wealth, and he even goes so far to say that everything about this life is meaningless.  I warned you.  Don't go to this book looking for a warm fuzzy.  You would be chasing after the wind. 

We are motivated by many things in our life and some folks search for significance in the things they pursue.  Perhaps a new job, more wealth, a promotion, more education, experiences, conquests, and the like will bring significance to our lives.  The writer of Ecclesiastes would warn you not to search for meaning or significance in those pursuits.  Don't go chasing after the wind as though you could catch it and even if you could as though you could personally keep it.  The wind is not subject to you, you are subject to the wind. 

As the writer closes the book of Ecclesiastes he comes to a "conclusion of the matter."  I believe the entire book builds to this conclusion in 12:13...

"Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole (duty) of man." (NIV)

Fear is best translated as reverence or honor and that concept when combined with obedience to Him gives us real meaning to life.  No longer are we chasing the wind. 

Jesus said, "The wind blows wherever it pleases.  You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."  (Jn. 3:8 NIV)

God is sovereign.  We are not.  A significant life can only be lead in trust, honor and obedience to Him.  From that point all things find their meaning in your life and your pursuits don't have to be meaningless.  You are no longer chasing the wind, but the Wind (our Lord and Savior) is chasing you.  Turn to Him and let the Wind take you. 

Blessed

Kojo lives under a bridge on interstate 20.  Just over his head the world passes by without any knowledge he exists on the way to somewhere important.  He sleeps on a ledge beyond a low girder so when we bring him food we can't even see him.  We crouch down to our knees and hands appear out of the darkness reaching for a sandwich bag and cool bottled water.  Every week I'm amazed at what I find just outside his sleeping quarters, but last night was especially interesting.  Coins were strewn about and a half burned one dollar bill lay amid what others would call trash.  How strange is it that a man who has nothing is burning money?  Most would believe that Kojo is insignificant.  What would Jesus say?

People have mused over the Beatitudes trying to determine what Jesus meant.  Are they promises for the future, a reality of life now, or a paradoxical demonstration of how God's thoughts aren't our thoughts?

J.B. Phillips helps me understand them with his offer of how they would be if the world rendered them:

Happy are the pushers; for they get on in this world.
Happy are the hard-boiled; for they never let life hurt them.
Happy are they who complain; for they get their own way in the end.
Happy are the blase; for they never worry over their sins.
Happy are the slave-drivers; for they get results.
Happy are the knowledgeable; for they know their way around.
Happy are the trouble-makers; for they make people take notice of them.
(Good News, by J.B. Phillips circa 1964)

Mr. Phillips uses the word "happy" for "blessed", but happy is way too shallow for the meaning.  My study bible says that the truest meaning of "blessed" is the ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God.  Yes, "happy" falls short of expressing that joy. In our quest for significance being "blessed" is the result of specific characteristics outlined by Jesus on a slopping hillside overlooking Galilee. 

So even a man like Kojo can be significant though he lives where he lives without a home.  As I finished a prayer last night Kojo began singing.  I couldn't understand a word, but I felt his joy.  He sounded happy, but now I realize he is blessed.  In the eyes of God, he is significant and he knows it.  Driving home it dawned on me that he may rely on God more than the rest of us combined.  I really believe that Jesus thought that a person who was poor in spirit, or mourning, or persecuted, or hungry for righteousness, or merciful, or pure in heart, or a peacemaker, truly are Blessed.  I would say the rewards for each are less promises and more a reality of living each characteristic.

Thrones

The disciples argued more about greatness than any other single topic.  Even as late as the last supper they disputed among themselves who was the greatest (Lk. 22:24).  Somehow we are wired to debate these things and certainly status or position is just as desired now as the 1st century. 

On one occasion James and John, the son's of Zebedee, with their mother approached Christ with a request for status in the kingdom to come.  (Matt. 20:20-28 & Mk. 10:35-45).  The request was bold.  "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask." (Mk. 10:36) 

We would do well to remember that Zebedee was a very prominent man.  He had hired men (Mk  1:20).  Very few fishing enterprises were much more than a father and his sons, therefore Zebedee had a large fishing business.  Furthermore,  if the "other disciple" in John 18:15, is John himself then he was known to the high priest, not casually but relationally.  Since by all accounts the rest of the disciples were very common men, James and John may have thought they deserved the most prestigious roles in the new kingdom. 

The positions they request are the seats to the immediate right and left of Jesus when He is fully placed in power in the coming kingdom of God.  This is no small request, for these seats would be reserved for the greatest in the kingdom other than the king himself.  They are seats of both prestige and power and they would be treated by others as the king himself.

Jesus replies by saying they have no idea what they are asking, and then inquires if they believe they can drink of the cup He must drink.  Like eager school boys, James and John say yes.  Jesus then confirms they will drink of the same cup, but the favored seats in the kingdom have already been planned.  The Father has reserved those from the beginning of time for their rightful occupants (refer back to the part II - "Hands").

This request didn't sit well with the others.  Both Matthew (who was there) and Mark say that the other disciples were indignant toward James and John.  They were angry, resentful, and offended by what they viewed as an arrogant request.  Jesus sensed this and called them all together.  He then turns their ideas of position, rank and authority upside down.  Using the example of the Gentiles and how they reign and lord over their subjects, Jesus points to a contrasting method of leadership.  He instructs the disciples to give up the quest for greatness and discover acts of service.  He tells them whoever wants to be first in line, must first be a slave, giving up the rights of position in favor of being a servant to many. 

Our lives today can be spent looking for significance in position, rank and status.  Those things aren't wrong, they just aren't as significant in the kingdom of God as serving others.  In reality the best leaders are servants.  They support their team (they don't "lord" over them), they lead by example, and they are willing to sacrifice for the good of the whole. 

James and John came looking for a throne and instead were handed a cup.  They eventually got the message and gave up their quest for rank and both became great servants for the Lord.  Evaluate your desires for status, rank and position and adjust your aim based on the timeless teaching of Christ.  Reach for the cup, the thrones have already been decided. 

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

Greatness

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all gives varied details of an argument over who was the greatest not long after the transfiguration.  Since only three of the disciples were privileged with attendance at this event perhaps that led to those three assuming they had a higher status among the group.  None of the Gospels tell us why the argument happened, only that it did happen.  (See Matt. 18:11-5; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48)

It sounds childish to our ears like school boys arguing who is the better ball player, but we can't escape the fact that greatness and rank are a part of our lives.  We have an inborn drive to be approved by others and a title helps everyone around you know who you are and your place.  The best trumpet player has "first chair."  The winner of the marathon gets "first place."  The person on top of the table of organization is the "Chief Executive Officer."  The leader of the army is the "General", and the more stars on the collar the greater the authority.  So, it is only natural that we are driven to be great or the best we can be.  Matter of fact, what is wrong with that, didn't Paul say, "Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as for the Lord, not for men."  (Colossians 3:23)

Paul didn't say the goal is to be great, but to do your very best for the Lord and not for men.  (Remember "Hands" - God is who gives strength and makes people great).  The disciples had lost sight of this goal and had been arguing on the road as they traveled.  When they reached Capernaum, which was as close to a home base as they had, Jesus asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"  In Luke's account he states that Jesus knew what they had argued about and knew their thoughts.  But, the question lingers in the air and Mark says they kept quiet.  They must have known what they did was wrong and all are too embarrassed to say a word. Their hands are in the cookie jar. they have been caught.

Jesus then sits down among them and brings a small child into their midst.  "If anyone wants to be first," He says, "then he must be the very last, and servant of all. You must become like this little child."  Of course this turned their world upside down.  Greatness then in the Kingdom of Heaven is measured in service to others.  Service is significant.  Do we really understand that now in our 21st century world?  Where do you serve others?  Where is your greatness?

Think about those questions and set your goal to work for the Lord as a servant to others.  It is the Christ-like example for He knew greatness as the world measures it as something not to be grasped, so He chose obedience even to death on a cross.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider quality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient  to death - even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)

There has never been a greater example of greatness than Jesus Christ.  Therefore live a life patterned after His commands and actions.  There is no other principal that will be given in this series that will make your life more significant than this one. 

Good

One day Jesus and the disciples encountered a man who seemingly had it all by worldly standards.  Luke called him a ruler (18:18), so he was a man with position, status, and rank in society. He may have been part of a council or court and his decisions had authority over people.  Matthew states the man was young (19:20).  He has more days ahead of him than are behind him.  No doubt he is on everyone's list of high potential, most likely to succeed, and perhaps the leader of his generation.  Finally, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all reveal the young ruler has great wealth (Mk. 10:22, Mt. 19:22, Lk. 18:23).  This man didn't want for anything, he had it all - wealth, status, youth, health, and a bright future. 

But, somehow this rich young ruler must have known he was lacking something. Mark says he came to Jesus literally on his knees asking, "Good teacher, what must I do in inherit eternal life?"  When I see the word inherit, I've always wondered if the grand life the young man is living was inherited as well.  His wealth would have most certainly been inherited for there was not much of a chance for a young man to gain wealth another way, and his status could have been attained by his family's connections.  He recognizes that in all he has or has been given there is no assurance of eternal life.  This drives him to Jesus on his knees.

Jesus always encounters people individually addressing their greatest need.  First, He focuses on the word "Good".  He is not denying His goodness by asking the young man who is good, but is trying to eliminate being good from the young ruler's list of attributes for inheriting eternal life.  Then Jesus places the perfection of keeping the commandments in play for being good enough to gain eternal life.  The ruler recognizes that no one could possibly keep them all so he attempts to ask Jesus the qualifying question, "Which ones?" (Mt. 19:18).  Then Jesus names the commandments in which the young ruler has kept so far in life.  Jesus tells him if the young ruler wants to be perfect (in the Greek - teleios meaning to be brought to completion without blemish)  to go sell all he has and give the proceeds to the poor and come follow Him (Mt. 19:21)  Mark says that Jesus looked upon the ruler with love as he said this (Mk. 10:21).

The wealthy young ruler turned away sad.  His wealth was his god and to be "good" enough to get to heaven would mean giving it up. Sadly, he wasn't willing to do that.  Jesus clearly identified the obstacle and the rich young ruler decided not to remove that obstacle.  He kept it. 

The disciples were shocked, "Who then can be saved?", they asked.  Jesus then directed their minds away from good dropping one little "o" and capitalizing the "G".  God.  The quest for significance in the next life all starts with recognizing God is better than good.  That our best week, best day, best instant of goodness will gain us nothing in the kingdom of heaven.  God would set aside "good" as a requirement and enter in yet another "g" word - grace. 

You don't need to go and sell everything you have unless you rely more on what you have than God.  Since everything comes from His hand, let Him be Lord over you and your possessions.  A life lived in response to the grace of Christ will be used in mighty ways.  Don't turn away sad, but discover the great joy of life living in obedience to the Master.  You will therefore find great significance in this life and the next!

Path

"We have left everything to follow you," Peter once said. (Mk. 10:28)

His mouth often ran at a speed a few paces ahead of his brain, but Peter was brutally honest. He said what he thought come what may.  He left a life of pulling nets full of fish to pursue a life leading others to his Master, to become fishers of men as Jesus would put it. 

The best example in the Gospels of Peter being Peter can be found in what is commonly called, "Peter's Confession of Christ."  (Mt. 16:13-28, Mk. 8:27-9:1, Lk. 9:18-28)

Jesus had been skirting the region of Galilee after feeding the 5,000 going as far as Tyre and Sidon, and visiting the free city-states of the Decapolis.  On this occasion, Jesus takes the disciples north of Bethsaida to the pagan area of Caesarea Philippi.  The journey followed the Jordan river on the east side and ended very near the great Mount Hermon (where many believe the Transfiguration occurred soon after).  Luke details that Jesus and the disciples were praying in private when Jesus abruptly asks them, "Who do the crowds say I am?" (Lk. 9:18)

I can see the disciples looking at one another and providing the list of answers they had heard.  Then Jesus directs the question to them, "Who do you say I am?" (v.20a)

It was Peter who boldly proclaimed, "The Christ of God." (v. 20b)  Jesus would then tell them of the suffering He would endure including death.  (He also told them of His rising, but it is as though they didn't hear that part at all.)

Matthew says Peter, most likely full of himself for his great proclamation, actually takes Jesus aside.  I can see him grabbing Jesus by the arm, taking Him just out of earshot, and saying, "Never Lord!  This shall never happen to you!" (Mt. 16:22)

Jesus rebukes Peter as harshly as any rebuke you will find in the Gospels, "Get behind me Satan!  You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have the things of God in mind, but the things of men." (Mt. 16:23)  Peter had gone from prize pupil to class dunce in a matter of a few minutes.  Such was Peter.

Then Jesus detailed what having in mind the things of God entails:  Denying self, taking up a cross, doing it daily, and following Him (Lk. 9:23).  He told them that time spent in the attempt to save your life is futile, but if you give it away you will find life.  Very much like the Rich Young Ruler, what "good" is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mt. 16:26).

For us the question still rings relevant.  Do we allow the pursuits of this world to have prominence over our lives.  Jesus taught that true significance  could only be found in following Him through a process of denial, embrace of the cross, consistent living and walking the walk. (again Luke 9:23)  This is a path that leads to other paths of significance.
 
In the wake of the Bread of Life discourse as disciples left Jesus in droves, and the Twelve grumbled about the tough teaching, Jesus asked the Twelve if they were ready to leave, too?  It was Peter who again made a confession, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."  (Jn. 6:67-68)  Though He would betray Jesus by denying His name, Jesus would use this old fisherman to great significance.

"Feed my lambs," He would tell Peter on the beach over a fish breakfast prepared by Jesus.  (Jn. 21:16b)  Peter would lead that early church and his nets were always full of people. 

What path of significance is Jesus calling you out to walk?

Work

If you work for 40 years you will log 2,080 weeks of work and 93,600 hours (avg. work week is 45 not 40).  Is there significance in our life's labor?  It is an interesting question. 

We've had a job to do from the very beginning.  Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to "work it and take care of it." (Gen. 2:15b)  Then the fall changed work, and the ground was cursed because of Adam's decision.  From that point on work for food became much harder as the ground began producing weeds, thorns, and thistles.  We now eat by the sweat of our brow (Gen. 3:17-19).  Today few people toil over a garden, but do work to buy food to eat.  In 2nd Thessalonians Paul warned against not earning the bread you eat:

"For even when we were with you , we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'  We hear that some among you are idle.  They are not busy; they are busybodies.  Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat."

Not only does work have a practical side, but also a fulfilling aspect.  Adam was instructed to be fruitful and the righteous are like trees planted by streams of water which yield fruit with leaves that do not wither.  Whatever these people do prospers in the Lord (don't confuse this verse with simple monetary gain or profit) being a blessing to others (Psalm 1:3).  Paul instructs slaves and masters in Colossians, but it is clear the meaning of 3:23 has a broader application;

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Col. 3:23 NIV)

For me, this is a life verse.  This one verse says so much.  Paul uses the word "whatever" and we'd do well to heed the meaning.  Whatever does mean whatever.  "In ALL things" then we should go about them with all we have (all our heart) because we don't work for earthly bosses, but the Lord Himself.  This one verse should radically change how you view your work (and 'whatever' else). Paul was a tent maker when he had to be and I bet he was a great one.  This verse should motivate us to use work as a witness.  If we are going to spend over 93,000 hours doing something in this life, we should reflect Christ while doing it.  Do not excuse yourself from being a Christian while you work.  This encompasses attitude, effort, teamwork and relationships.  Be that Psalm 1:3 tree by the water with leaves that never wither.

It was Jesus who prayed on the night before His sacrifice saying, 'I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."  (Jn. 17:4 NIV)

Our work is significant, and we are called to labor in many different fields.  Though you may not be a pastor, missionary, or the like - this doesn't mean your work can't be for the Lord.  Remember "whatever" and it's meaning - Paul says you work for the Lord. 

Choices

I love the scene near the end of "The Last Crusade" where Indiana Jones goes through all the tests to finally find the holy grail only to be confronted with hundreds of grails.  Which one is the right one?  All but one produces life the rest produce death.  Many are the options in life, but only one path leads to a significant life.  God wants you on that path, but the choice is yours.

If you think about it, life really is about choices.  The decisions we make daily have consequences we can't see or know, but are subject to.  In your relationship to God through the grace of Jesus Christ you have access to the game plan for your life.  However, you can, and many do, choose to go your own way.  Solomon wrote in Proverbs that "the way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice" (Pro. 12:15). 

Who would know us better than God?  In our own eyes we can't be discriminating enough to make the right decisions all the time.  Too often we'll be right in our own eyes and wrong in our choices.  We need to be able to see as God sees.  This is not easy.  No truer words have been penned than when Isaiah wrote:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord."  Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

This verse follows a written invitation as Isaiah says - come all who are thirsty, those without money, those who are laboring in vain, those who will listen, those who long for the promise of David, come... the invitation is in the mail. (See Isaiah 55:1-7)  God invites us to come to Him with our lives and the many decisions that weigh every step. 

As we come, Paul gives us this instruction:  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test  and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

Paul details what it takes to align your mind to the mind of God.  First, in view of His mercy and grace (which makes this possible), we are to be living sacrifices.  This is our act of obedience to Him (forsaking ourselves) and living a life aligned to the commands of Christ.  This is a spiritual act of worship, not a mindless ritual or practice.  Therefore, your heart is in it, you are obedient to Christ not because you have to be - but want to be. 

Second, we conform to Christ and not the world around us.  The "prince of this world" (Satan himself) lives and breathes to derail you from a life on the right path.  Therefore, we are to be transformed (an ongoing event) by the renewing of our mind.  Our mind becomes conformed to the mind of God, our thoughts are transformed to His thoughts.  When this happens Paul says we can then test and approve God's will, make the right choice, know the answer, have faith in the outcome, and trust Him. 

Finally, a significant life can only be found in God's will.  Paul says God's will is good - it is the right way, what is best for us, for our benefit, etc.  Paul says that it is pleasing - ultimately even the tough choices turn out right and even the valleys of pain turn into pastures of peace. It is how God works in our lives.  Lastly, Paul says God's will is perfect.  It is the one cup of the hundreds that is the right one.  In our own power we have no way of choosing the perfect way.  Accept the invitation, listen to His counsel, be a living sacrifice, be transformed to the mind of God, and walk upon the path that He has made for you.  In the quest for significance, you will discover you are not walking alone, but Christ is with you.  There is no better trail guide.  Listen for Him, listen to Him, and live through Him.  

Give

The world says you are significant when you "get" - have you ever heard the old adage, "Whoever dies with the most toys, wins."  God's word will tell you that significance is found in giving, not getting. 

There is an obscure reference in the Old Testament that makes me marvel every time I read it.  Moses summons Bezalel and Oholiab, two of the most skilled artisans and craftsmen in the land, along with every person of skill to construct the tabernacle or sanctuary (Exodus 36:2).  The rest of the people began giving toward the project with overwhelming gifts.  The workers literally go to Moses and tell him that they have enough.  Moses then sends out an edict to the whole camp to stop bringing gifts for the building of the tabernacle. The Bible says people had to be "restrained" from giving more.  What they had for construction was more than enough. (Exodus 36:3-7)

Did you get that?  I wonder what capital campaign Moses concocted to drive that giving?  Paul says the Macedonian church was generous as he told the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:1-7).  The Macedonians gave an overflowing gift to their struggling brothers and sisters in Jerusalem even though they were severely under trial and taxed by extreme poverty (v.3).  Paul used their example to quicken the Corinthians:

"But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us - see to it that you also excel in this grace of giving."  2 Corinthians 8:7

Yes, giving is an act of grace.  Taking from what you have to help someone in need is an exemplary Christ-like act as Paul would detail just a few verses later...

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich."  2 Corinthians 8:9

So, great significance can be found in giving and the size of the gift is not what matters, but the willingness of the heart according to your means - what one has rather than what one does not have.  God loves the cheerful giver.  (2 Corinthians 8:12, 9:7)  But, be careful that your act of giving is not a practice to bring glory to yourself.  Jesus was very straightforward in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by men.  I tell you the truth they have received their reward in full." (Matt. 6:2)

If you have not already done so - discover the "grace of giving."  In doing so you will change the lives of people around the world:  Missionaries will bring the Gospel to dry land along with food and aide, a child will not starve today, the thirsty will not thirst, there will be room for one more to attend church, disaster victims will find help when stricken with tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes, and the love of God will be shown to all through your act of grace.  Giving is living.  This is a selfless act of love toward others whether they deserve it or not.  That is grace.  

No greater tracks are left behind than the tracks you make to help others.  These tracks sink deep into the soil.

The writer of Hebrews would define faith for us this way...

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"  (NIV Heb. 11:1)

Faith then by definition can't be proven, it would literally lose meaning and become tangible fact, it would become "seen".  Faith transforming to fact happens on the Great Day of our Lord when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Until then knees bow and tongues confess purely on the stance of faith. 

The Hebrew writer would go a step further by saying faith is the only way to please God...

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards who earnestly seek him."  (NIV Heb. 11:6)

Therefore if you want to please God, and as a Christian that is a mandate, then faith is the one way to do it.  This truth makes faith a significant part of our lives - meaning, we are to trust God and His word.  And remember, it is an action carried out in how you live.  Do you believe He is in control?  Is He measuring your steps?  Belief is who we are or are not.  The choice is up to you.  The great Unseen wants to be real in your life.  Faith is the avenue for this to happen - to believe that He exists  and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Love

Only one word can make sense of the work of Christ on earth.  This word is the only word that can explain His leaving glory and taking on flesh.  This word tells us all we need to know about His motivation to endure what had to be done.  That word of course, is love.  All the pain, rejection, suffering, and acts of dishonor He absorbed melt away in the motivation of His love.  John 3:16 doesn't say that God thought the world deserved His Son, no, John said that God so "loved" the world that He sent His Son.  This one word then is the secret to significance.  If you were an archaeologist, you've just unearthed the holy grail, and you have it in your hand.  It all starts with Christ's love, the greatest example of love the world has ever known, and then culminates with your acceptance and passing on of His love   It is love that will guide you through some of life's toughest valleys. 

Love will help you remember a dear one who has passed, and though painful your days will be better for having thought of them.  Love will help you forgive that person you need to forgive so the chains of hate have no grip.  Love will help you have healthy relationships because love will always put the other person first.  Love will help you change the world for someone because you shared Christ's love with them.  Love will help you do what is right.  Love will help you deal with depression as you realize how "God so loved you."  Love will keep you faithful in marriage because you grow deeper in love - beyond physical attraction to the incredible realm of the inner beauty of the soul.  Love, Paul said, conquers all - love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8).  It is a short list of things that never fail.  Love is one. 

You could have it all - the money, the wealth, the status, the faith, knowledge, intelligence, all of everything you could possibly possess in this life, and without love Paul says you are nothing, zilch, nada. (1 Cor. 13:2)  I find it intriguing in that verse that Paul didn't say you have nothing, he says something even more frightening - you are nothing.  In the next verse Paul says you could give it all away like the rich young ruler was instructed to do, but if you don't do it for love then you gain nothing.  You could make the ultimate sacrifice of being burned at the stake for what you believe, but even martyrdom for Christ is empty without love. 

There you have it.  We've searched the barren wastelands, deserts, mountain tops, secret valleys, and tombs of this world looking for significance.  I hope you found some insight on what it means to lead a significant life.  I know this, it all starts with this one - Love.  The last devotion should really have been the first because of the power of the love of Christ.  I pray that if you haven't experienced that love that you heed the Spirit's drawing.  Maybe you've never fully accepted His love.  In other words, you know about it, but your heart remains unchanged.  Love can be understood intellectually, but living it means it must be internalized through the heart.  Make that change if you haven't and let the love of Christ rule your life.  Then the quest for significance is over, but really has just begun.