significance

My friend Brian was wrestling with the idea of significance that is sourced from success--as it is often understood among religious professional types to relate to attendance, square footage, market share, and capital. I responded with something like this:

When we realize that we are significant simply in our identity as God's beloved creation, we can do things without measuring ourselves against others. Problems come when we start seeing accomplishment as the source for a sense of significance. Then we need to constantly measure and compare and, perhaps, tear others down to get on top.

When we realize that the things we do do not increase or decrease our significance or value, we can be freed to simply live into what God created us to be (as individuals and communities). To do this is to function as a gift (i.e., something to be freely offered) rather than from some sense of lack (i.e., 'if I do this, then I will be significant'). [Yes, again with the gift idea]

I guess the issue is whether or not we presume significance already. When we do, we can presume the significance of not only ourselves, but of others as well. Think of the difference that would make in conversations. No more need to puff yourself up or compare yourself to others. Certainly no more need to tear people down. You are free to cheer on the people you previously saw as competitors; to love your enemies, to let your yes be yes, to not be anxious about whether your program 'succeeds', to take on the life of a servant, and so on.