Find Your Greatness

Then the voice over says in part, “There are no grand celebrations here. No speeches. No bright lights. But there are great athletes. Somehow we’ve come to believe that greatness is reserved for the chosen few, for the superstars. The truth is greatness is for all of us. This is not about lowering expectations, it’s about raising them for every last one of us. Because greatness is not in one special place, and it is not in one special person. Greatness is wherever somebody is trying to find it.”

I love it!  What a great thought!  And it’s Biblical too!

When the disciples were arguing over who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus said, “But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave” (Matt 20:26-27).

Greatness is not necessarily found in position.  Power.  Prominence.  Greatness can be found in service.  In ministering to the needs of others.  Mahatma Gandhi is credited with saying, “That service is the noblest which is rendered for its own sake.”  Serving for the sake of serving.

One of the Nike ads says Greatness doesn’t need its own anthem.”  And another proclaims, “Greatness doesn’t need a stadium.”  Your greatness can be found in  humble circumstances.  With no accolades.  No awards.  No medals.  Just doing what you can do.  Doing the best you can do.  When you can do it.

I’ve seen greatness in common folks in little towns like London, and Leitchfield, and Lee’s Summit.  They just go about doing good, rasing their families, and teaching values to their children.  They pay their taxes, go to work every day, and care about neighbors.  I’ve seen regular folks honoring God, living righteously and serving in their church families.  They are unsung heroes.

They are Doctors. Nurses. Mechanics. Engineers. Railroad workers. Mail carriers. Bankers. Teachers. Secretaries. Factory workers.  And computer geeks!  I’ve known them.  In Hillsboro and Kettering, Ohio.  Palmetto, Pinellas Park and Terrace Terrace, Florida. In  Louisville, Kentucky. In  Kansas  City, Missouri.

I’ve known “ordinary” people do extraordinary things.  Often small things.  At least in the eyes of the world.  But they make a difference in their home. In their community.  In the life of a child.  It may mean loving your spouse when they are unlovely.  Volunteering when you don’t really feel like it because it’s the right thing to do.  Taking the time when you’re busy with “big folks” to bend down and listen to the eager story of a little child.  Emerson put this way, “A great man is always willing to be little.”

So remember when the big games are being played in London, England, it’s the life in little towns being played out day by day that really make a big difference.

Find your greatness.  It’s within you.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman