INTRODUCTION:
I clearly recall a moment from my sixth-grade class when my attention wandered away from the teacher. My mind drifted towards the window, where I found myself lost in thoughts about the future. Questions flooded my mind: What kind of person would I become? What would I do with my life? Little did I know that this day would hold a surprising encounter with my teacher.
Suddenly, Mrs. Webb interrupted my daydreaming by calling my name, her voice echoing in the classroom. "Greg, I want to see you after class," her words sent a jolt of anxiety through my body. As the other students grinned mischievously, my heart raced, and my face turned crimson.
Once the class ended, I reluctantly approached Mrs. Webb's desk, unsure of the trouble I had gotten myself into. As I stood before her, anticipation mingled with apprehension. With a gentle gaze, she looked up at me and addressed my habit of daydreaming during class.
"I notice you daydreaming during class," she remarked. I nodded, acknowledging my distraction. Then, with words that still resonate within me, she said something unexpected that would forever leave a lasting impression on my mind.
"Greg, don't let anyone steal your dreams," she advised. As I walked home alone, her words resonated in my thoughts, leaving me pondering their profound impact on my life. Mrs. Webb had planted a seed of encouragement, urging me to dream and envision a future far beyond the present.
At that moment, Mrs. Webb showed me my worth and the value of my dreams. She taught me that they were not only worth contemplating but also worth protecting. It was a powerful demonstration of significance that I cherish.
What does significance mean to you?
On Jackie Robinson’s gravestone is one of his most famous quotes, a subtle hint of what significance meant to him: “A life isn’t important except for its impact on others’ lives.”[i]
In his book Intentional Living, John Maxwell wrote, “To be significant, all you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day.”[ii]
? Reflection
Here is the question for the end of your day: Who did I impact today?
How did I make a difference in their lives?
Significance is not about you. It is about other people—adding value to their lives.
What are ways you can make a difference today?
What kind of difference do you want to make?
At a ninetieth birthday celebration, Nelson Mandela said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”[iii]
In any challenge you face or any plans to move into a better future, there will be setbacks, obstacles, and even roadblocks.
Jesse Owens, “The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourselves, the invisible, the inevitable battles inside of us all, that’s where it’s at.”[iv]
NavigatingThe struggles within may be obstacles in our way that are challenging to maneuver.
To ignore these obstacles—will destroy your hopes and dreams and undermine your vision for the future. You cannot go forward without facing obstacles or roadblocks and the struggle to navigate them well. Each one you face takes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.
You need to rest, renew, and rejoice in celebration when you overcome one obstacle. As you celebrate, you renew energy to deal with the next roadblock along the route.
The terms "obstacle" and "roadblock" are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference in their meanings.
An obstacle refers to something that hinders or stands in the way of progress. It can be a physical, mental, or emotional barrier that prevents someone from achieving their goals or completing a task. Obstacles can be overcome with effort, determination, and problem-solving skills.
On the other hand, a roadblock refers explicitly to a barrier or obstruction that blocks a road or path, either literally or metaphorically. An unexpected challenge or circumstance can force a person to change their course or find an alternative route to reach their destination. One way to think about roadblocks is they are there because someone else put them there. It is not something within; it is something blocking your way forward.
While both terms refer to challenges or hindrances, "obstacle" has a broader application and can encompass various types of barriers, whereas "roadblock" refers explicitly to a barrier that blocks a path or route.
? Reflection
What obstacles and roadblocks do you face as you try to positively impact your church, business, or the people you live and work with?
We will consider obstacles as inward barriers and roadblocks as barricades placed there by someone else or ourselves. We must navigate inward barriers and roadblocks to get back on course.
Booker T. Washington wrote in his autobiography, Up from Slavery, “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.”[v]
To impact the lives of others, you must be willing to navigate the obstacles you face in your journey to significance.
And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way” (Isa 57:14).
Significance is a day-to-day expedition, not a destination.
Commencement
You may ask why we are walking toward this scenic overview. We should address the beginning of our journey as one toward our eternal destination. And if we are on the right path to this destination, we will also be on the right path on the journey to significance.
Romans 4:25 (NKJV) states, “He was delivered up for our trespasses (i.e., Jesus took our place) and raised for our justification.”
He reconciles us to God. Reconcile means the old account of sin stacked against you is settled—wiped clean—and you are now reunited with God, your creator. Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, the new has come.” It is a fresh start in life, a new beginning.
Watchman Nee reminds believers, “Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.”[vi] The resurrection is the ultimate manifestation of God’s saving power, through which believers pass from death to life.
Transformed Life
Resurrection is not just a historical event but a present power working in believes lives today! Thus, one benefit of following Jesus is transformation. This is where the journey to significance begins. Think about what Romans 12:1–2 (NKJV) states “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
You gain a clear understanding of life’s purpose and who you are in Jesus Christ. Your values change.
One day I was talking with a man who told me of his work in Alaska. He loved the work, but the men he worked with were rough. He said, “One night, I was reading Genesis, and the thought hit me that God made these men and is concerned about them. I began looking at these men differently.”
When you realize God values people, your perspective changes. You also value them. You get a new point of view. You stop looking for what is wrong in people and take joy in what is right. You now look at them differently.
Abundant LifeAnother benefit of following Jesus is abundant life.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
Your Old Story
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Your New Story is in Jesus' Story.
Which story is yours?
“Take the step into Jesus Story.” It will transform your life.
Yet in this new story, some find it difficult to walk from “life” past the “and” into “abundant life.”
One way to think of abundant life is a life overflowing with continual contentment independent of our circumstances.
The Greek word used in the text is perissos, which means exceedingly abundantly above, more abundantly, beyond measure, extraordinary, surpassing, and uncommon.
The word is used where the disciples gathered the twelve baskets of food after Jesus fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.
You get the idea. Do you live day by day what this expresses?
Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”
Again in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Living an abundant life,
? Reflection
What are the roadblocks keeping you from abundant life?
What are the roadblocks keeping you from significance?
What are the obstacles keeping you from making a difference in others?
Challenge: Sharpen your pencil and begin writing your new story on the Journey to Significance.
I clearly recall a moment from my sixth-grade class when my attention wandered away from the teacher. My mind drifted towards the window, where I found myself lost in thoughts about the future. Questions flooded my mind: What kind of person would I become? What would I do with my life? Little did I know that this day would hold a surprising encounter with my teacher.
Suddenly, Mrs. Webb interrupted my daydreaming by calling my name, her voice echoing in the classroom. "Greg, I want to see you after class," her words sent a jolt of anxiety through my body. As the other students grinned mischievously, my heart raced, and my face turned crimson.
Once the class ended, I reluctantly approached Mrs. Webb's desk, unsure of the trouble I had gotten myself into. As I stood before her, anticipation mingled with apprehension. With a gentle gaze, she looked up at me and addressed my habit of daydreaming during class.
"I notice you daydreaming during class," she remarked. I nodded, acknowledging my distraction. Then, with words that still resonate within me, she said something unexpected that would forever leave a lasting impression on my mind.
"Greg, don't let anyone steal your dreams," she advised. As I walked home alone, her words resonated in my thoughts, leaving me pondering their profound impact on my life. Mrs. Webb had planted a seed of encouragement, urging me to dream and envision a future far beyond the present.
At that moment, Mrs. Webb showed me my worth and the value of my dreams. She taught me that they were not only worth contemplating but also worth protecting. It was a powerful demonstration of significance that I cherish.
What does significance mean to you?
On Jackie Robinson’s gravestone is one of his most famous quotes, a subtle hint of what significance meant to him: “A life isn’t important except for its impact on others’ lives.”[i]
In his book Intentional Living, John Maxwell wrote, “To be significant, all you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day.”[ii]
? Reflection
Here is the question for the end of your day: Who did I impact today?
How did I make a difference in their lives?
Significance is not about you. It is about other people—adding value to their lives.
What are ways you can make a difference today?
What kind of difference do you want to make?
At a ninetieth birthday celebration, Nelson Mandela said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”[iii]
In any challenge you face or any plans to move into a better future, there will be setbacks, obstacles, and even roadblocks.
Jesse Owens, “The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourselves, the invisible, the inevitable battles inside of us all, that’s where it’s at.”[iv]
NavigatingThe struggles within may be obstacles in our way that are challenging to maneuver.
To ignore these obstacles—will destroy your hopes and dreams and undermine your vision for the future. You cannot go forward without facing obstacles or roadblocks and the struggle to navigate them well. Each one you face takes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.
You need to rest, renew, and rejoice in celebration when you overcome one obstacle. As you celebrate, you renew energy to deal with the next roadblock along the route.
The terms "obstacle" and "roadblock" are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference in their meanings.
An obstacle refers to something that hinders or stands in the way of progress. It can be a physical, mental, or emotional barrier that prevents someone from achieving their goals or completing a task. Obstacles can be overcome with effort, determination, and problem-solving skills.
On the other hand, a roadblock refers explicitly to a barrier or obstruction that blocks a road or path, either literally or metaphorically. An unexpected challenge or circumstance can force a person to change their course or find an alternative route to reach their destination. One way to think about roadblocks is they are there because someone else put them there. It is not something within; it is something blocking your way forward.
While both terms refer to challenges or hindrances, "obstacle" has a broader application and can encompass various types of barriers, whereas "roadblock" refers explicitly to a barrier that blocks a path or route.
? Reflection
What obstacles and roadblocks do you face as you try to positively impact your church, business, or the people you live and work with?
We will consider obstacles as inward barriers and roadblocks as barricades placed there by someone else or ourselves. We must navigate inward barriers and roadblocks to get back on course.
Booker T. Washington wrote in his autobiography, Up from Slavery, “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.”[v]
To impact the lives of others, you must be willing to navigate the obstacles you face in your journey to significance.
And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way” (Isa 57:14).
Significance is a day-to-day expedition, not a destination.
Commencement
You may ask why we are walking toward this scenic overview. We should address the beginning of our journey as one toward our eternal destination. And if we are on the right path to this destination, we will also be on the right path on the journey to significance.
Romans 4:25 (NKJV) states, “He was delivered up for our trespasses (i.e., Jesus took our place) and raised for our justification.”
He reconciles us to God. Reconcile means the old account of sin stacked against you is settled—wiped clean—and you are now reunited with God, your creator. Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, the new has come.” It is a fresh start in life, a new beginning.
Watchman Nee reminds believers, “Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.”[vi] The resurrection is the ultimate manifestation of God’s saving power, through which believers pass from death to life.
Transformed Life
Resurrection is not just a historical event but a present power working in believes lives today! Thus, one benefit of following Jesus is transformation. This is where the journey to significance begins. Think about what Romans 12:1–2 (NKJV) states “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
You gain a clear understanding of life’s purpose and who you are in Jesus Christ. Your values change.
One day I was talking with a man who told me of his work in Alaska. He loved the work, but the men he worked with were rough. He said, “One night, I was reading Genesis, and the thought hit me that God made these men and is concerned about them. I began looking at these men differently.”
When you realize God values people, your perspective changes. You also value them. You get a new point of view. You stop looking for what is wrong in people and take joy in what is right. You now look at them differently.
Abundant LifeAnother benefit of following Jesus is abundant life.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
Your Old Story
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Your New Story is in Jesus' Story.
Which story is yours?
“Take the step into Jesus Story.” It will transform your life.
Yet in this new story, some find it difficult to walk from “life” past the “and” into “abundant life.”
One way to think of abundant life is a life overflowing with continual contentment independent of our circumstances.
The Greek word used in the text is perissos, which means exceedingly abundantly above, more abundantly, beyond measure, extraordinary, surpassing, and uncommon.
The word is used where the disciples gathered the twelve baskets of food after Jesus fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.
You get the idea. Do you live day by day what this expresses?
Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”
Again in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Living an abundant life,
- you value life,
- you value people,
- you add value to people,
- you abound in good works,
- and you make a difference in the lives of others.
? Reflection
What are the roadblocks keeping you from abundant life?
What are the roadblocks keeping you from significance?
What are the obstacles keeping you from making a difference in others?
Challenge: Sharpen your pencil and begin writing your new story on the Journey to Significance.