WTML: The Search For Significance

A few years ago, I road-tripped with a few friends to Austin, Texas. It was such a fun time exploring the city, eating some truly amazing (and unhealthy) food, and enjoying one another’s company. I don’t remember all of the conversations we had during this time, but I do remember one clear book recommendation from a friend. I think I was talking about my fear of failure (or something like that) and she began sharing about the book The Search For Significance. She had read it years before and still went back to it from time to time—the truths therein were powerful and life-changing.

So, I did what I often do with book recommendations from friends: I got a copy and let it sit on the shelf… for years.

Side note: I believe that the Lord is incredibly strategic. Probably a lot more strategic than we realize. Looking back, I wouldn’t have been ready to read this book when my friend first recommended it. I probably would’ve zoomed through its pages thinking “I’m fine” or “I’ve overcome these things.” I may have applied some of the principles, but I wasn’t at a place in my spiritual and emotional healing to accept what this book has to offer. But I fully believe that fateful conversation was right on time so I could have this book in my library when the moment came and I was ready to read it.

While I am still in the process of reading The Search For Significance, I think this is a great read for all Christians, no matter how whole or healed or recovered we are. Whether we’ve been a Christian all our lives or are new to the faith, I think this is a precious book that encourages us to run into the arms of our loving and gracious God.

After we’ve been in church for a while, we can start to be pulled away by the allure of a new revelation or a new look at familiar passages. The “basics” which are incredible and profound—so life-giving that we could dwell on them for a lifetime and still have more to learn—can begin to feel dull. I know I’ve gone through cycles of this in my life, wondering why I have to return to topics like the love of God or his forgiveness yet again.

The Search For Significance retells the gospel in all its glory, highlighting the fundamental truths of our faith. This book beckons us back to the basics, which we most definitely need.

“We need to be honest about the pain, the anger, the disappointment, and the loneliness of our past… Change is possible, but it is a process.” p. 98

We don’t have to hide our past, our thoughts, or our feelings from God because he already knows them. The things in our lives that we find less than desirable can’t be fixed by sweeping them under the rug, but need to be brought into the light. When we take our shame, pride, fear, anger, jealousy, etc. and expose them to God, he can heal what has been broken and restore what has been lost. Our coping mechanisms of covering up may have worked for a time, but they always lead to more dysfunction eventually.

Thankfully, because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are free. God is love himself and he extends grace and kindness toward us. We were dead in our sins and we were enemies of God and yet, he chose to sacrifice himself for us. We are chosen and welcomed—we have nothing to fear.

The Search For Significance is a powerful book that reminds us who God is and who we are. It is a powerful tool that the Lord has used to bring many people closer to him and I am finding it is well worth reading. This isn’t one to speed through, but is best taken in slowly.

As I’ve been reading through this book, Psalm 139:23-24 have been playing over and over again in my mind and my prayers:

“Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

Have you read The Search For Significance?

Do you ever find yourself seeing the “basics” of faith as dull? How do you return back?

To go Deeper: Read Returning to Base, New Identity Over Changed Circumstances
Check out A Proverb A Day! 

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