GREATNESS

I Was Just Thinking About – GREATNESS.

We’re familiar with the story about a Pastor who left the church service believing he had preached an exceptional sermon. As they rode home, he asked his wife: “How many great preachers are there in the world today?” Her kindly, yet pointed response was: “One less than you’re thinking right now.” There is a cautionary word that one should take to heart and practice – Proverbs 25:6 (NIV), “Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men.” The NLT states this verse: “Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.”

Some people crave recognition and being in the presence of notables within the culture. Jesus, while training His disciples, shared this instruction with them in Matthew 23:1-12, “Then Jesus said…to his disciples: The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat…they preach, but do not practice…they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi…The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Colossians 3:23 gives a clear and precise perspective for the genuine Christian: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” It is clear that the singular commitment, purpose and goal, especially for the servant of the Lord, is that God’s Glory is to be first and foremost in your motivation and serving. It is a verse one should memorize, remember and implement every day.

What makes a man great among his peers is actually in the eye of the beholder. Some of us have been privileged to be in the presence and company of “great men” – men who never sought personal acclaim, recognition or reward. They humbly served and sacrificed to do the work the Lord had gifted them to do. They did not need or desire the rewards and recognition of men because they were committed to the higher cause of serving at the pleasure of and for the glory of the Lord. One day, they will gain His reward when they hear Him say: “Well done, faithful servants.”

One of these servants of the Lord came to a church where I was pastor. I apologized that we would not be able to give him the honorarium he deserved. His statement from almost fifty years ago resonates with me today. He said, “If I was in this for the money and recognition, I would have chosen a different profession.” He then added this perspective: “When we see ourselves from a spatial vantage point, we on the planet earth are just a speck – one seven billionth of the world’s population.” In an article on the website of God and Truth, March 2009, the following was stated: “Longings and striving for power, status, fame and recognition is a common feature of everyday life. It is regarded as normal by the world. People of the world give much attention to attaining power, status, fame and recognition. This problem is seen in all strata of society and in many different areas of life…Sadly, this problem also exists among Christians and those engaged in the Lord’s work. This, in fact, is a major problem. It is a significant hindrance to personal growth and development and to personal walk and fellowship with God. It also causes considerable problems and hindrances to the advancement of God’s kingdom. This is an area the evil one is actively promoting and exploiting.”

What is your personal view of acclaim, recognition, reward and a position of greatness? Do you want to be first among equals? Do you ever defer a personal recognition for one who is seldom recognized? Some go through life and ministry and seldom, if ever, receive any type of recognition. Is that right? Is it fair? Does it please the Lord and bring glory to Him when/as this occurs?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.