Sunday, December 12, 2010

Defining a Significant Life

Lately God's been taking me through a rigorous process related to a big opportunity I'm considering. It's been exhausting, frustrating and one of the most intense periods of recovery I've had in a couple of years. My recent posts about selfishness might be a tip off to the character defect God's been working on. In case that wasn't obvious enough...God's been working on my selfishness.

He's also been revealing some fear in this, too. Just a couple of days ago I ran smack dab into the middle of a lie I was believing. The lie is one many people, particularly guys, struggle with. It's that I'm responsible for living a life of significance. By that I mean I need to do something with my life that makes a difference.

Now, that's not an awful thing. In fact it's an admirable trait in someone if they strive to make a difference in this world. However, if you're driven by a need to find your value in living a significant life, that's a problem. There are always meaningful things you can do with your life. Be a good father (or mother), volunteer for worthy causes, start a business or a movement or a charity that changes people's lives. But doing those things in order to feel good about yourself or establish some sense of being significant is a goal you'll never achieve.

If you're like me, you'll always be able to find someone who is doing something bigger, better, or what you might define as more significant than you're doing. So you'll be driven to do even more. You'll keep trying to quiet the demons in your head telling you you're not good enough by doing more and more. Eventually you'll run out of time, energy, opportunities and still be stuck with yourself.

Significance is found in a relationship. Specifically a relationship with God who has a plan for your life. Seek his will and, whatever you do, it will be significant. Know deep in your soul that God thinks enough of you that he's sent his son to die on the cross so you can be in an eternal relationship with him. As you work your program and discover this truth you can let go of your addiction driven need to be significant according to the world's standards or to impress your father or get back at those who've hurt you.

Pursue your recovery with all the energy and fervor you can. There's nothing more significant than living a healthy, sober life.

1 comment:

Rob Hughes said...

YES! you hit the nail on the head!!!

WE MUST HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD first and foremost... then in the overflow of that can we love others!

I've had some thoughts recently that may be encouraging to you, brother:

http://www.entreinnovator.com/2010/12/3-steps-to-becomming-fully-alive.html

In Christ,
Rob Hughes