Significantly Insignificant

Last week, I had the incredible joy of reconnecting with an old friend for breakfast. This is someone I hadn't caught up with since I left Tucson in 1999. As we talked about being in our 40’s, our marriages and fatherhood, it struck me how similar our journeys have been to wrestle with our shortcomings over the years and pursue meaning and joy in life. As we caught up, I was reminded of people and events that I hadn’t thought of for around 20 years. As my friend and I sat across from the older versions of the young, foolish men we were in our past lives, I found myself reliving memories of the man I used to be and began to compare contrasting world views and values of my old self to who I am now. 

The biggest contrast between who I was then and who I am now can be summed up in one statement; it’s not about me. In my foolish 20’s, I believed that I was one of the smartest guys in the room at all times. I believed that my experiences, feelings, and perceptions gave me a leg up on everyone else I was around. “If only everyone could see things my way, they could experience how awesome things could truly be!” I don’t think I ever actually said these words, but I felt those sentiments all the time. 

As a 42 year old man who is more aware of my shortcomings than ever, I’m relieved to have discovered that the world doesn’t revolve around me (even if I need to be reminded of that once in a while). More importantly, as a follower of Christ, I am grateful to have the Biblical narrative to help make sense of the chaos in my everyday experience. 

I love the Bible. I love the Bible because it is filled with some of the most amazing literature ever written and stands alone as the most unique collection of writings ever put together. The Bible is comprised of 66 different books, written by 40 different authors, on 3 different continents, over the course of 1500 years. And yet, there is one central story. And it’s not my story, your story, Israel’s story or the Church’s story… It’s God’s story. Paul put it this way in the letter he wrote to the church at Colossi:

Colossians 1:16 (ESV)

“For by [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

In the grand scheme of it all, I am significantly insignificant. 

I realize my insignificance in the great narrative I see in the history of creation and the human experience when I get lost in the pages of Scripture. I see that my “blip” on the historical timeline will be lost amongst a sea of saints and events that have far exceeded the works of my life. 

Yet, I also see that the One that the Scriptures revolve around knows me in a very intimate way, calls me by name, and considers me a friend. In joy, Jesus extends to me forgiveness, mercy and gives me insight to His heart and passion for the world. Then upon forgiving me  and sharing His heart with me, He honors me by drawing me to be a player in His story. Paul put it this way to the the church at Ephesus: 

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 

- Ephesians 1:7-10 (ESV)

Because I am invited into friendship with the Creator to share in His grace and the work of the Kingdom, I am made significant by Him. Because He calls me friend, I am significant. I am significant, because He loves me. 

We will spend time celebrating these truths this weekend by signing Hosanna. This song simply means, “God save, we pray!” As we sing this together, it is not out of a desperation and fear as to weather or not God is going to follow through, but an acknowledgment that God has won the victory and now we get to share that good news. Next, we will sing Praise You because of the great hope we have in Christ, regardless of the darkness we see in the world. Finally, we will sing How Great Thou Art to acknowledge that we live in God’s story, and we get to play a part in it.