Will it matter that you lived? Have you ever wondered if your life has made a difference? If you have paused to look into a mirror, have you wondered about your personal impact on those who remember—and reflect—about your influence in their lives?
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I can’t—at this moment—remember the name of my high school English teacher in my freshman year. On the first day of school, she told our class she knew that many students described her as “The Witch.” I was petrified!
On the second day of class, she increased my feeling of terror. She explained that, later in the year, each of us would be required to give a 20- to 30-minute speech to the class. We would have to memorize the content of an assigned document. I thought about quitting high school, but my parents made it clear that wouldn’t happen!
Actually, I lived through the experience. I was not the best presenter in our class. Yet, that teacher planted a seed in my life. While I can’t remember her name, her impact was phenomenal. Three years later, as a senior in that high school, I actually took an elective class in speech! Why? I was considering going into the ministry.
Each year, just before Easter break, our public high school had an Easter service in the auditorium. It wasn’t a requirement to attend. The other option was study hall. One of the preachers from our town would provide a sermon for the student body as we gathered in the auditorium. As a senior, I “lobbied” our principal to consider an extraordinary departure from the usual routine. I met with him privately and said that, after high school, I would study for the ministry. He was somewhat shocked but listened to my unusual request. I asked if I could provide the Easter message to the students.
His reaction was immediate: “Would you work with your pastor to prepare for this?” I said that I would. After all, I had never preached to anyone. Honestly, I think the principal had a lot more faith in God than I did!
Will It Matter That You Were?
Have you ever wondered if, when you are gone, your life will have made a difference? This is a question about influence. Of course you have influenced others. Perhaps your evaluation reflects positive influence. It may even reflect some negative influence—which you may regret.
What about a few generations from now? Will anyone know—or remember—that you lived? I know: That sounds kind of negative. Yet, it’s an issue you likely have considered. Even if you are a public figure, the recollections fade over generations of time.
Yet, your impact—positive and negative—does make a difference among those you influence, among those who are influenced by those you influence, and on and on. You see, the world is different—and will always be different—because you lived.
You don’t have to be a movie star, politician, or billionaire to influence generations. Each person stands on the impact of those who touch their lives and of those who touched previous lives—all the way back to Adam and Eve. I know, it’s a challenging thought, right?
What Is Significance?
Significance is defined as “Having or expressing meaning.” Significance stands for what is important and momentous. It reflects how you see your value. It reflects how others see your value. Deep down, you want to make an impact. It’s a demonstration of your worth. You are valuable!
How does the world often reflect significance? It is all about self-worth. Yet, God knows you are valuable. The whole Bible is aimed at your Creator’s declaration of your importance. You matter to God. You matter to others. You are valuable to this world. You are important to others. That value is significant!
Perhaps you have never considered your significance. Maybe you don’t realize how valuable you are to others. It could be that you haven’t realized it yet, but Jesus would have died on the cross to forgive you—and demonstrate love for you—even if you were the only person ever born. Your significance is hard to grasp, great to accept, and awesome to celebrate! You were born to be significant. The lives you touch are changed in ways you can’t even comprehend. Perhaps you should consider that more often! It might influence your life significantly!
It was Thomas Edison, the light bulb guy, who said, “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” The significance hole in your soul is where true happiness, honest joy, and real fulfillment reside. You are created that way, and you will remain unfulfilled until that hole in your soul finds significance. It is how you are wired.
Life—real life—and living—real living—are related to a sense of purpose and fulfillment that go beyond the tangible rewards many of us work so hard to achieve. The significance call is filled by joy that is on a higher level. It’s fulfillment that does not—and cannot—come from the typical activities of everyday life. It’s on a whole higher plane. Your appetite for fulfillment reflects your desire to move from success to significance. Eternal significance is not only possible—it is how you were created.
Dr. Kent Hunter is the author of Life Beyond Ordinary: Invest Yourself in Significance. He wrote this book because you are significant. Kent is the founder of Church Doctor Ministries, now led by Dr. Tracee Swank.