TRUE GREATNESS

"The proper measure of our spiritual condition is the quality of our lives, which is measured by such attributes as lowliness, gentleness and longsuffering (Eph 4:2). "Bearing with one another in love" is a good indication that we are moving towards God's goal for us.
- Julie Ackerman Link, OUR DAILY BREAD

"Their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wished to become great among you shall be your servant." - Mt 20:25-26

We like to leverage out God given gifts and talents against the doings of others in order to show ourselves great or at least better than average. We get caught up in how we're doing compared to the next guy and live in fear that we will go unnoticed and unwanted, eventually succumbing to a life on the streets with beans and rice for dinner. We fear failure like crazy and crave attention like nothing else forgetting all the while what it really means to suffer. We forget the millions who have no food at all for fear that we will have too little. We think that by accomplishing things that we stand out, earn respect and that people will only listen to those who succeed in life. The desire to succeed has become incredibly strong in our culture and success is more commonplace and competitive today that it has ever been. If truth be told, success is rather commonplace and the most inspiring individuals and the people that truly stand out in life are those whose lives are dedicated to others.

I think about Welles Crowther, an ex Boston College lacrosse player who sacrificed his life in the South Tower of the world trade center 10 years ago by repeatedly leading groups of people to the only remaining exit in the burning building before it eventually collapsed on top of him.

I think about men and women in our town who give their time each week to mentor a student at a local school. They become a friend, a hero, and the first example of loyalty and consistence that these kids have ever known.

These are true examples of what it means to be great and a light in a dark place. Louie Zamperini, a POW for two long years during WWII hits the nail on the head when he talks about how we pick heros all wong these days, focusing on accomplishment rather than character. Accomplishment, which no doubt turns heads and catches people's attention for a moment will always fade in the absence of character. Think about all the sports stars and hollywood names who have achieved stardom only to fade and be fogeottne by age 50. Character consistent with service and humilty, the type of character that Jesus often speaks of when he mentions greatness, is what truly sets a person apart.

"Do nothing out of rivaly or selfish reasoning, but with humility of mind regard one another as more impmortant than yourselves...so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." - Phil 2:3,11

Our service should not be in pursiut of greatness for greatness sake but should be to the honor and glory of our God, the giver of life, who deserves praise for all things.

It is this attitude of embracing service and humble living that allows us to trust God in all things. In sickness and in health, in times of much and in times of little we can trust that God will continue to sustain us and give us just what we need to do what we were created to do - make much of him. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) is a great example of this. He lived the life of peaks an valleys, trusting his God each step of the way. The son of a good father, deserted and left for dead, the butler for a rich prince, prisoner in a dungeon, and assistant to the king. As Christians we are not guaranteed that things will go as planned, likely they will be difficult at times but we can live in hope, rest in peace and live a life defined by lowliness, gentleness and love because we know that our God is with us and he is enough - no matter what.