The Quest for Significance

Question: what is perhaps the single greatest value the human race has sought throughout all of history, that is arguably transcultural? You may argue with me on this point, but I am convinced our greatest value, our greatest desire is significance. Our pursuits for material wealth, a wide circle of friends, recognition for having done something great, awards, and pretty much everything else is all centered on this desire, this need for a sense of significance in life. We feel our lives must have purpose, a reason for existence beyond procreating more life as is the sole purpose of the animal kingdom. One might argue that this desire is what sets us apart from all other living creatures.

We even look for significance in death. When I was in a high school sociology class, we were doing a unit on the study of death in different cultures. Every culture may approach death differently, holding different ceremonies and disposing of their dead by different means, but all cultures do hold one thing in common, this sense of dying honorably or dishonorably. Even this it seems is because of our desire for significance. Also during this study one student commented that the thing which disturbed her most about death is that life goes on. Think about it; when we die, we may have a small number or for some a large number of people who gather to morn our death. But after a few years only a handful will still be in some degree of morning, and after a couple decades, rarely will someone even take the time to remember the person who died. Do you ever think about your relatives four or even five generations back? Life just goes on. Is there really any significance out there for us to grasp?

A missionary friend of mine once said “the biggest cause of the ego is the misplaced addiction to the quest for significance.” The argument I will be making is that achieving significance is not inherently wrong, but making it our goal is. There is a fine line to be walked here. Ambition and the quest for significance can look very similar, and in many ways are close relatives. Both can have positive effects on the way a person lives, but both can also be dangerous and sinful.

After recently performing a personal study of Philippians 2, I am convinced we can have a better balanced view of how to satisfy our thirst for significance in such manner that is honoring to Christ and honoring of ourselves as well. Interestingly, this study of the second chapter put me on an even greater study of the whole letter to the Philippians. I quickly realized that this desire for significance is one of if not the greatest theme in the letter.

A central encouragement as we enter this study is to consider just how you seek out significance in your own life. For some it may be easier than others; the need for popularity among friends, having the nicest house, car, garden, etc., on the block, maybe a zealous ambition for success at work… and thus a little recognition for that success, recognition for good deeds we may do in our church or community, or even recognition for evil which we may do. Think of it, there are many ways in which we seek to gain significance. Chances are we each can think of more than just one way in which we pursue it.

Now, while keeping that list in mind, take some time to sit and read through the letter to the Philippians. Warning: this reading may be convicting.