Articles
Greatness
Greatness
What is the line to use in defining the “measure of a man”? Is it his physical attributes? His abilities? His charm or charisma? The world looks at these things, and ascribes greatness.
When describing the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus uses a different measuring rod. “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant’” (Matthew 10:25, 26).
In my life, I have known individuals who I have identified as great people. Sister Velora Smith, the little blue haired lady who made her way to me with her four-footed cane, hugged my neck after my baptism and whispered, “It takes God a very long time to grow a tree.”
Brother Lewis Sullins who spent his life knocking doors and making calls, looking for “truth seekers” and showing them the truth about Jesus and His church.
Brother Ray Greene who at the ripe young age of 88 started one of the more successful ministries of his life – at the jail. I casually mentioned to him “I’d like to do something like that” to which he replied, “What are you doing tomorrow?”
You probably do not now any of these great champions of the faith, but I’m sure folks like them come to mind when you read this. They did not do what they did for recognition or to be “great”. They did what they did out of love. Love for Jesus and their fellow man. They did it out of a sense of servitude.
“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:11-13).
Do you aspire to greatness? It is not a bad thing. We all should. Just remember, Christian friends, use the same measure Jesus used;
“For who is the greater, one who reclines at the table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves. You are those who have stayed with Me in My trials, and I assign to you, as My Father assigned to Me, a kingdom” (Luke 22:27-29). --Colin Wetherelt
