SIGNIFICANT INSIGNIFICANCE

Sometimes I marvel at how important we feel while also being so incredibly insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Years ago I went to Kruger National Park in South Africa, a game reserve. I had always loved wild animals (not big on pets) and couldn’t wait to observe them up close and personal, so I knew I was about to be amazed. What I didn’t expect as I woke up at 5am to go into the safari, was the spiritual revelation and strong connection to God that I would experience. 

As I watched the sun rise as Cape buffalos prepared to move away from the watering hole, and the Master Tracker explained that they would travel for days looking for the next one and that they would die if they didn't find it in time, it hit me - these Cape buffalos still existed because for centuries the Creator had made sure that these animals had always found a watering hole.

Matthew 6:26 immediately came to mind and that moment felt like the realisation of that scripture. Somewhere 8000+ miles away from my home, Cape buffalos were being taken care of by He that created them and all they had to do was exist.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

The world was here before we existed and will continue after we’re gone. Our goals, the things we class as important, the things we love and die for, all have a maximum, not guaranteed, duration of 122 years, since that is the recorded lifespan of oldest person to ever live in modern times. That is only 6% of the 2025 years A.D.; including the years B.C. would make that percentage even smaller. How arrogant of us humans to feel like we are the be all and end all of anything when our lifespans are so relatively short!

I have never before or since felt as insignificant as I did in that moment, and that experience put the significant insignificance of my existence into perspective. Every creation - every animal, plant, person, star, planet - has been fashioned by God for a purpose not known to man; they are significant, yet the world is so large and time so vast that their significance is minute in the grand scheme of things. That experience was a stark reminder that God didn’t need me (not that I was ever arrogant enough to think He did!), so the grace I was experiencing was purely because He wanted me - isn't that beautiful?! 🥰

Sometimes living can be overwhelming, and recognising that the world is way bigger than your existence can make you feel insignificant, but you should always remember that to the one who created you, you are significant and of great value. The Bible told you so.