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So You Want to be Great?

It's a very interesting thing to be around people of wealth or influence. I've noticed that when they are present, people seem to change. I remember once being cut off mid­-sentence with a "shh" by a brother who suddenly lost interest in me because Lecrae had entered the room. True story! No diss to the influential, but I find it equally funny how what they say and do, no matter how small, is considered great! It's as if they are children again—receiving praise for every minuscule achievement. "You pray before you eat? Wow! You are so humble!" But I understand it. People want to be close to greatness and respected by those they respect. One could argue that we are made that way. But I often wonder what the criteria is for considering someone great. If you were to make a list of great people, who would be on it? And why?

I'm convinced that many of us judge greatness by the wrong standards. To us, having a lot of what everybody wants—money, power, talent, influence, or knowledge—seems to be the key to greatness. However, I'm also convinced, that God begs to differ. He'd find many of our lists completely unimpressive, not simply because He is God, but because we have greatness all mixed up. In God's economy, greatness is not popularity and talent, but service and sacrifice. Don’t misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with admiring talent or wanting to be around the influential. But there is a problem with losing sight of God's definition of what makes them truly great. How have they served? What have they given up to follow Jesus? How do they love? What is their character like?

These questions reveal that which is truly impressive. The Bible never condemns wanting to be great; in fact, it encourages it. Serving God, sacrificing for the good of others, and loving people are traits of greatness. All of these were personified perfectly in Jesus; therefore, to be great is to be like Him. Brothers and sisters, in the end, that’s all that matters. Not well done my good and faithful business man, platinum-­selling recording artist, or Harvard graduate, but well done my good and faithful servant. Go be great today!