Attention Seeking Versus True Significance

When we are unsure of our identity, we often crave attention and it is not always the good kind. Most attention seeking is an attempt to fulfill our need for significance. In Genesis 29 is the story of Leah, a woman who wanted to be noticed and loved, who craved genuine, God-given significance. None of this is a problem unless we seek to meet these needs in unhealthy or destructive ways. As believers, our identity is in Christ, and we should seek the significance only He can give. 

In Leah’s story, it is easy to see how she must have felt rejected. Her father married her off to Jacob using trickery because he feared no one would choose her. Jacob did not love her, only having eyes for her sister, yet Leah loved him. Leah is even described in the Scriptures as weak-eyed and dull while her sister is described as beautiful (Genesis 29:17).

Even so, in Genesis 29:31, we read, “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.” Though Leah felt rejected and unloved, God saw her and enabled her to conceive her first child with Jacob. Her search for significance did not end there, evidenced by the names she chose for the children she would bear. Her firstborn was named Reuben which means “see a son” and when pronounced in Hebrew sounds just like “He has seen me.”

Leah wanted to be seen and the same is true for anyone of us who is searching for significance. Being overlooked and ignored hurt then, just as it does now. As she continued to bear children, their names testify to her continued search for significance – Simeon whose name means “heard”  and Levi whose name signifies “attachment (Genesis 29:33-34).

Like Leah, we can all relate. We want connection so we seek attention, sometimes changing ourselves to gain significance. Let us remember this week that from a spiritual perspective, we are connected to God and we are significant to Him. He created us with intention and significance to bring glory to Himself – so we don’t need to seek attention elsewhere!