BOOK STUDY: The Search for Significance | The Light Comes On

On the fourth Friday of each month in 2025 we will be studying The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee. Let’s confront the enemy’s lies of self-doubt and find our victory in the truth of who we are according to God’s Word!

 

I’m excited to be studying The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee with you. I’m really looking forward to having some fresh revelations in the truth of God’s Word as it applies to this important struggle that many women deal with.

Each month we will look at my Chapter Summary, Biblical Truths, Key Ideas, Reflection Questions and some Practical Applications we can use daily. Let’s dig in!

Summary Chapter One: The Light Comes On 

This chapter introduces us to a struggle many women face: low self-worth and not knowing and understanding the life-changing true significance which is found in God’s unconditional love and grace. God’s love helps us break free from the destructive lies and thought patterns we have fallen prey to for most of our lives.

Many of us are hurt emotionally, relationally, and spiritually but because we are unaware of the extent of our wounds, we don’t take steps toward healing and health. Our problem is not stupidity but a lack of objectivity. Because of this, we fail to see the reality of pain, hurt and anger in our lives. ~ Robert S. McGee

Biblical Truths:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8

Key Idea:

We must know at our core: our self-worth is rooted in God’s unconditional love for us, not our achievements or performance.

Reflection Questions:

In what way have you based your self-worth on the opinions of others or your performance? How does God’s love challenge your view?

Practical Application:

Write a short list of your qualities or accomplishments that you have relied on for your self-worth. Next to each listed item, write a corresponding truth of God’s unconditional love.

My Personal Reflections:

As I look back over my life, especially in my childhood, I remember how I was only praised by my parents when I performed well: music lessons, dance lessons, sports, etc… There were no discussions of who I was as a person and definitely nothing about God.

As a result, when I became an adult, I based my self-worth on other people’s opinions of me and my performance. When I got born again in 1980, there was not a lot of teaching about how to see ourselves as God sees us. It has taken me most of these years to process those truths, and I’m still not great at it. My default tends to be low self-worth. But I’m confident, by prayer and with the Holy Spirit helping me with fresh revelations of truth in God’s Word, I will continue to grow into the woman God created me to be.

Let’s take time to meditate on God’s unconditional love for us as we soak up this beautiful song, Shine a Light by Elevation Worship.

MY VICTORY VOYAGE | Life Transitions

In the MY VICTORY VOYAGE column I’ll be looking back primarily over the last two years of my life seeking to find everywhere God was faithful.  I’m striving to learn lessons from the struggles of my life experience, asking “What is God trying to teach me? What do I still need to learn?” This column publishes the 3rd Friday every month in 2025.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

The experience of aging is different for every woman. So far it has been relatively easy for me because, thank God, my body is in good health. Although, I mistreated my body a lot in my teen years and again when the mid-life hormonal shock of menopause set in. Overall, most of my life I have eaten healthy and exercised regularly.

Sadly, my mental and spiritual state hasn’t always been as healthy as my body. For me, this requires a system of intentionality, a solid daily routine of time in God’s Word! That is the only thing that will keep my mind, emotions and spirit in check. I want most of all to live a life that honors God and brings glory to Jesus Christ.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Keeping limits and time boundaries on social media influences is a key to good mental and spiritual health for me. It’s too easy to get dragged into the comparison trap that only leads to depression.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Let’s be determined to take care of our mind, body and spirit so we can be all God has called us to be as we represent His kingdom here on earth, maybe even for 120 years.

Stay alive and breathing, look with hope for the joy only He can bring!

Take a few minutes and watch/listen to Matt Maher’s inspiring song Alive & Breathing below. I hope it will bless you as much as it does me! – Tamara