Everyone wants to live a life of significance but not everyone knows how to do it.

And not everyone knows where to find it.

And not everyone knows what to do to obtain it.

Because of this, many people look for significance in the wrong places and go about obtaining it in the wrong ways.

I was reminded of this recently when I heard a story of the incredible empathy that pastor and author Tim Keller showed to a person who publicly “attacked” Keller’s character through malicious slander.

When asked about it by an interviewer, Keller made this response: “This is probably a person in a great deal of pain, and it’s probably somebody who doesn’t feel a great sense of significance. One of the ways that people find significance when they can’t find it is by finding somebody they believe to be significant and attacking them. Because if they can get a response from that person, or from others, they believe it will ease their pain.”

This is very insightful – especially if you had this happen to you.

And I have.

For the exact same reason.

In my case, what made the attacks stop (although they still come from time to time by the same sources) was when it was finally revealed that their “charges” against me were all lies.

But the motive is always the same – searching for significance.

However, I have also sought significance in wrong ways…

• Exaggeration of my abilities

• Gossiping about others

• Achieving for the sake of approval

• Shaming others

• Making others feel small

But, you see, these are the kinds of things we do when we make significance about self.

John 1:4 says life is found in Jesus.

This includes the significance of life.

The pathway to the significance that we all yearn for is Jesus Christ.

When we make Him the sole source of our significance, rather than ourselves, we become more “at peace” with ourselves.

Which leads to more peaceful relationships with others.

Instead of tearing others down in order to build ourselves up, we become “cheerleaders” for one another who sincerely want the best for each other.

Because you are no longer a “threat” to my significance, and I’m no longer a “threat” to yours.

When we seek to glorify Jesus, we become the best “version” of ourselves.

When we seek to glorify self, the worst in us comes out.

I’m tired of being on the endless treadmill of searching for significance in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways.

Aren’t you?