What Does it Mean to be Great?

In the last posting I recommended my readers to prayerfully consider looking back over 2007 as articulated by Doug Phillips on his blog. The goal was to record the highlights of the past year and more specifically, to be able to discern the hand of God in our lives.

My wife and I have taken this challenge head-on and so far we’ve gone through our calendar that Aneta utilizes to record events of our lives, which includes dates, getaways, important meetings, get togethers with friends, etc. Also I have gone through the first two month of my journal for 2007, recording the highlights—these would include key Scripture verses, new people that I met, prophetic dreams, significant messages, musings, outstanding books that I read, meaningful conversations that I had with people—among other things.

I have also encouraged the young adults that attend our TNT community group to do likewise as we spent our last meeting going over possible themes to examine for 2007. They also came up with some additional ideas and thoughts that I will share as we go through this process. I am hoping to have a framework in place once I complete this assignment in the coming weeks. As my beautiful wife wisely noted, having a framework in place will also allow us to be more intentional in 2008 as to what we should be mindful of and record.

The next few days I am going to put “unedited” portions of my journal that I’ve come across that reflect some musings that may be of insight to you. The first is recorded from Saturday, February 24:

What does it take to be great?

What does it mean to be great?

Perceived greatness is not the same as actual greatness—meaning, we may perceive one to be great based on our perception of them. However, this perception may possibly be based upon faulty assumptions that define greatness within the framework of externalities; failing to take into account the intrinsic fabric of greatness. True greatness emanates from an inward core that represents the fusion of integral components: humility, love, persistence, commitment, and a servant-orientation. Actual greatness consists of outward behavior and actions that are aligned with the internal core values of that person—that is, values that are biblical. Are all called to greatness? The answer is found in another question: Are all called to Christlikeness? Yes, of course; therein is the secret of greatness: It is the byproduct of a life consumed by the quest for the Reality of Christlikeness to be evident/demonstrated in all aspects of our lives.

Philippians 2:1-13

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Journal entry ends

In closing, it isn't greatness that we seek in of itself, but rather it is Christ unveiled through us as He really is. As the Scripture indicates, the man Christ Jesus was a servant. Greatness emanated from him because serving the Father's mission was his ultimate motivation. As Christ served the Father's purposes, he met the needs of mankind, thus serving their needs in the process.

I better end it here, I could write all night! Check back daily for I will try to post something each day as I progress through this assignment. Once I complete this, I will start a series on "The Crux of Biblical Leadership."

For the Cause,

Brian Francis Hume