The Path to Greatness

Eight heads of America's largest financial institutions were called to appear before a Congressional committee yesterday. These men move easily among the powerful, accustomed to being served quickly and well. Yesterday, they were scolded like schoolboys, chided for excessive compensation packages and their alleged failure to respond adequately to our nation's current recession. As they sat there looking up at a hack like Congressman Barney Franks, I wondered what was going through their minds? Did they regret taking government funds and thereby giving up some of their autonomy? Were they really regretting the greed that was being challenged or were they merely going through the motions to satisfy the political demands of the season?

As I watched the testimony of these men who are chauffeured about in their limousines, private jets, who live in luxury with amazing perks; the vast difference between worldly greatness and greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven was made clear to me. My Dad knew a kind of greatness that had nothing to do with any of the usual perks of power. He had little wealth! The suit he was buried in was threadbare and worn. He did not command a bevy of assistants who scurried to carry out his wishes. He drove an older car that was full of kid's stuff! Yet, at his death, thousands (literally) took notice that a man of kindness and love was no longer among us. One of my favorite tributes to him is this one: "Pastor Scott has been called home. It was a pleasure to have known him. He helped the police department when strangers passed this way and had no one to turn to. He answered our call at all hours of the day and night. He always welcomed my family and I at the Christmas pageants for many years even though we were not parishioners of his church. Rest in peace." - Doug Koeppen, Chief (retired) Washington Borough, NJ PD Dad did not concern himself about the status of those who called, only their need. And, then he responded with what he had- money, time, love, concern!

Dad was a servant and Jesus says that service is the path to greatness in His Kingdom! "So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(Mark 10:42-45, NLT)

A true servant's heart comes from submission to God first! A person who has not surrendered his heart and mind to the Lordship of Jesus will not consistently forget himself in service to others. The will to power and the demands of ego must die at the foot of the Cross, put to death by the Spirit as we lay down our lives as a 'living sacrifice.' Only then will we even be able to consider giving ourselves away to others, especially those who are, in the estimation of this present world, on a lower plane!

Eugene Peterson writes: "The Christian is a person who recognizes that our real problem is not achieving freedom, but in learning service under a better Master. He also recognizes that every relationship that excludes God becomes oppressive... thus we see the urgency of living under the mastery of God." - Life At Its Best

Disciple, do you want to be great?

First, know what true greatness is! It is not being served, but serving. Today, kneel (literally for it is the posture of reverence) and ask God to take your life - wholly. Borrow the prayer of the Psalm that says, "I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal." (Psalm 123:1-2, NLT) And, having presented yourself to Him, receive the gift of His merciful love, His amazing grace, His wonderful care.

Then, go and give yourself to others. It is His path to greatness!
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Nobody stood and applauded them,
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame.
All they really knew for sure
Was Jesus had called to them.
He said, "Come, follow me."
And they came, with reckless abandon, they came.

Drawn like rivers
Are drawn to the sea.
There's no turning back,
For the water cannot help but flow.
Once we hear the Savior's call,
We'll follow wherever He leads,
Because of the love He has shown.
Because He has called us to go,
We will answer.

We will abandon it all
For the sake of the call.
No other reason at all
But the sake of the call.
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call.

Not for the sake of a creed or a cause.
Not for a dream or a promise.
Simply because it is Jesus who calls,
And if we believe we'll obey.

For the Sake of the Call
Stephen Curtis Chapman © 1990 Sparrow Song (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) / Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. / Greg Nelson Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)CCLI License No. 810055