Significance of Insignificance

It Is A Wonderful Life!

As long as I can remember the Frank Capra's 1946 movie "It's A Wonderful Life" with James Stewart playing George Bailey is aired every year. With the advent of Cable TV and increased programming offerings, for the past several years I have not see it. This year, I find myself wanting to see this movie. 

You see, it is such a proclamation of our significance in a world that may want you to think that you are insignificant.

Our smallness does not equate to our insignificance, but our smallness is our significance. Jesus' birth is indicative of this as well. In celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ it also echoes of the same proclamation of the smallness of our significance.

So many want the notoriety of fame and fortune. They feel that if only people knew who they were they would be considered to be important. All too often, they live well beyond their level of potential because they are looking to be "big" in a world where they only envisioned their smallness.

You can't help but wonder why God did not allow His son to enter this world with much fanfare. Yet, He was born in a barn wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. How small can you get than that? Because the world labeled Him insignificance they refused Him and His parents occupancy in the inn.

So many stand at that door desperately wanting an invitation to come in and yet you feel that the door is never opened to you. You can get caught up in a perceived insignificance or you can do as Jesus' parents did and use what you got. It may appear as though they settled for a stable where they only had a manger to lay their baby's head.

No doubt, Mary, who had an intimate encounter with the Lord, wondered why the struggle was so intense if she had birthed the Messiah. She had been chosen it appeared above all women for such an honor, yet it appeared as though her life had little meaning. She was a mere teenager who had already undergone intense ridicule and scorn, yet she found herself being turned away yet again.

Even Joseph may have had his own reservations because he had agreed to remain with Mary although he knew that this was not his child. It appeared as though that one act of obedience after another only caused increased persecution, shame and rejection. When, he may have thought, "When is it all going to end?"

Each of these people, including George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life", appeared to have no significance and much struggle. George Bailey was provided a glimpse into how critical his life mattered by a guardian Angel named Clarence. Even his guardian angel was questionable. Yet, in the movie it was revealed to him how much his life counted had he not been born.

Have you ever thought about how much your life matters? I remember after my mother made her transition to be with her Heavenly Father, I found a notebook where she had written I want my life to count. When I read those words I was overwhelmed with emotion about how much her life did count.

There are times when each of us feels that if only we were bigger we could make such an impact in the world. If only we could have been born into a family that had more money, nothing would have stopped us from making a difference. If only I had two parents, I would be able to function better and I know that would have made it possible for me to fulfill my purpose.

I can go on and on because the list is endless. I want you to know that your smallness does not equate to your insignificance, your smallness is your significance. It is the extraordinary of ordinary that makes the difference.

Each of us has been provided an allotted amount of time to make a difference in this world. Our experiences, families, talents, gifts, etc., is what provides us the canvass. God is the only one who can reveal to you your significance in a world that bellows out your insignificance.

George Bailey came to that realization when he was given an opportunity to see all the lives he touched. Interestingly enough, he touched the lives of people he never met because of the lives of those who came into his sphere of influence. It is no different with my mother. Every person I come in contact with my mother is still touching their lives.

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