The Significance Of Insignificance Series

THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID

The Significance of Insignificance

1 Samuel 16:1-13

#kingdavid

INTRODUCTION 1 … goodreads.com/quotes/tag/identity?page=2

Brennan Manning (1934-2013) was an American theologian and author and in his book ‘Abba’s Child’ (1994) says: “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”

INTRODUCTION 2…merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/8-words-of-belittlement-insignificant

Today we will be talking about identity and significance and insignificance. The English language has some fun words for us to learn when it comes to talking about ‘insignificance.’ So here we have the top 8 words we have available to us to talk about insignificance!

* Nugatory: ‘of little or no consequence.’ For example: ‘I will not concern myself with the nugatory matters of which is better… Purdue or IU.”

* Pettifogger: ‘someone who quibbles over insignificant things.’ For example: “You are such a pettifogger for arguing about the kind of toilet paper we buy.” May I suggest saying that one slowly and annunciating because if you hurry you may end up saying something else.

* Fiddling: ‘To do something of no consequence.’ For example: “I’m just fiddling around in the garage.”

* Trivial: A word from the Latin ‘trivialis’ which means ‘commonplace’ and means ‘of little worth or consequence.’ For example: “My wounds from wrestling with the lion are trivial.”

* Ablach: [with accent] This is a Scottish word that comes from the Gaelic word for ‘mangled carcass’ and means ‘an insignificant person.’ For example: “You are an ablach, get out of my way!”

* Small-Fry: ‘minor or unimportant and unworthy of attention.’ It originally meant ‘a newly hatched fish’ and then came to mean ‘a young child.’ For example: “The hungry man pushed the small fry out of the way so he could order his food from the counter.”

* Chopped liver: ‘someone or something that is not worth considering.’ I think this is one of my mom’s favorite phrases: “What am I, chopped liver?”

* Dandiprat: [with accent] This is a British word that comes from a small coin that is ‘no longer in use’ and means ‘an insignificant person.’ For example: ‘Everyone but the Queen is a dandiprat.’

TRANSITION

I mention all of those words because I plan on trying to work them into my sermon as much as possible today as we talk about ‘insignificance’ as it relates to ‘identity’ and I want you to know what I am talking about. We begin by talking about the significance of identity.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IDENTITY

What is identity? ‘Identity’ is a group of attributes, qualities, and values that define how we view ourselves and, in many ways, how we think other people see us. It is the picture of us. It is the picture we think other people see. Identity is ‘the core of who we are.’ Identity is not a nugatory thing. Our identity is the core sense of who we are and I hope you will agree with me that the ‘core sense of who we are’ is very significant.

How is our identity formed? ‘Identity’ can be formed from the labels we place upon ourselves, the roles we undertake, and even the activities we like. I happen to think identity also comes from the color of our skin, our language, our gender, religion, moral decisions we make, and so much more. All of those things are added to the mixer and out comes our identity and our core sense of self.

The problem with identity is that so many different things: people, events, societal pressures, and even entertainment can impact who we think we are. A change in the workplace or the loss of a job or profession can make us think significantly different about ourselves… not just a little bit, but deeply. Growing up and entering a new stage in life can change how we think people see us. We read a book and it changes us on the inside. We go through a world-wide pandemic and life is flipped on its head for a while and we aren’t sure how to relate to ourselves or others anymore.

A loss of identity is not a trivial matter because that gap inside us can lead to increased levels of generalized anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, a loss of self-confidence, social anxiety, isolation, and chronic loneliness. We can end up with a sense of feeling lost. Identity is significant.

In the Bible, this sense of self, this core of who we are, this identity that shapes us is often called ‘the heart.’ The Bible talks often about our hearts and how our hearts shape our attitudes, actions, and words. Our heart matters and is significant. Our identity matters and is significant.

For example:

READ Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.