Some people want to be great, or famous. They seem to have no problem with the idea of being in front of others and being watched by crowds of people. On the other hand, some people have no desire for that kind of situation at all.
I read a book recently titled, “The Voice,” by Sandi Patty. Sandi is a Christian singer. She has won Dove Awards, Grammys and many other honors for her albums and performances. Sandi has been part of the Gaither’s Homecomings and Women of Faith Conventions. She has such a wonderful, powerful voice that “The Voice” became her nickname.
Yet, she states that her natural disposition is one of shyness. When at a party or gathering, her basic personality is such that she would rather hide quietly in a corner than mix with a crowd. (If you’ve seen her perform, it is really hard to imagine that.) Also, because of early events in her life, she never felt like she had a voice (anything worth saying – a sense of worth).
While it may be true that some of us have never desired greatness or to be found standing, talking, or leading in front of others, most of us do desire something else. We want to be recognized and feel a sense of worth. Maybe we don’t want to be recognized by everyone, but we do want to be important to someone. That’s why the song “He Knows My Name” resonates so powerfully in us. To know that God knows us, knows us so well that He calls us – by our name. It points out that desire for significance. A longing to be loved.
Once I was working in an office at a factory. We often got into some deep discussions in that office. In one of those conversations, I mentioned that each of us have an empty spot in us that we are constantly trying to fill, and that only God can fill it. One of the young men in the group scoffed at me and said, “Ah, I don’t believe that.”
A few days later we got into a discussion about some of the popular songs of the moment that we liked or didn’t like. I spoke of Neil Diamond’s song, “I Am … I Said.” It is a song about trying to find where you belong. In the chorus Neil sings, “I am … I said to no one there, and no one heard at all, not even the chair.” And then in the second chorus he continues with, “I am … I cried. I am … said I, and I am lost and I can’t even say why.”
The young man who had said, “Ah, I don’t believe that,” shuddered and groaned. “Oh, don’t say that, it gives me the willies,” he cried out. “See,” I said, “it points out that emptiness, that need for significance each of us have inside of us. You denied it, but there it is – revealed in that song.” How wonderful it is to know that though the chair and all those around us may not know the real us inside, God knows. He knows us intimately. He knows our thoughts, our ways, our needs, and our longing for significance (Psalm 139).
Look at what God says to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (1:5).
You and I – we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Each one of us is marvelously unique. We have a special significance that only we were designed for. Let’s find out what it is and let’s fulfill it. When we do, it will fulfill us.
– Just a Thought Dale Fillmore is lead pastor at New Day Church.
