Significance

Yesterday, Uncle Yu Chai tabled the motion that we should focus our lives, not on survival or even success alone, but on significance. Significant as defined in the dictionary is ‘having or expressing meaning or import in sufficient quantity’. A life of significance would be therefore one that had meaning, and was important; at least enough to have made a difference or mattered.

We have been given perhaps three score and ten years; some more, others less. The psalmist describes humanity as desert grass and dew; temporal, whimsical, there for a moment and gone before the next. How does one attain significance, when confined such?

King Solomon could be ascribed to be reputedly, the wisest man who ever lived. One would at least concede that in his era, he entertained no competitor. He engrossed himself in the pursuit of the arts and sciences; he was the designer, architect and engineer, an agriculturist cum horticulturist, a skilled farmer of crop and beasts , a man of peace, politics and war. He immersed himself in the study of man, of the mind, of pleasure, of food, flesh and wine. His monumental achievements and wisdom were investigated by near and far. He was resolved and abstained from nothing, in his quest for meaning, for significance. It does strike one as strange on re-examination, that he did not study or dedicate much time and effort in getting to know his LORD. Why did he not shift his focus from the things of this world?

As at today, nothing much has survived, of Solomon’s grandeur. It is ironic, if not deceitful, for man to exposit the glories of yesteryear from amongst the remnant, skeletal ruins. If one as astute as Solomon could not succeed, are we destined or consigned for failure? The Lord Jesus Christ provides the cue in the book of Matthew;

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'(Mat 25:40)

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." (Mat 10:42)

The assurance and promise of the Lord Himself is that ; for anything done for Him or for the least of His brothers, even if it was just a cup of water, it would matter even till eternity.

Significance? Only what is done for Him will matter and last. May our years be marked by acts of dedication to our Lord , His people and for those He came to save.

God bless.



/ckh