DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
What is True Greatness?
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How do we define true greatness?

The Hollywood answer is easy:
Oscar. Emmy. Grammy. Tony.

Only 11 people in history have ever garnered all 4 awards, including actresses Whoopi Goldberg, Audrey Hepburn and Rita Moreno, actor/writer Mel Brooks, and producer Scott Rudin.

Sports’ greatness comes in one-name trophies as well:
Lombardi, Heisman, O’Brien and Commissioner.

How many athletes have we seen kissing their statue and giving a shout out to mom?
The Super Bowl is only a couple of weeks away!

Achievement

While there’s nothing wrong with achievements, I’ve recently been challenged. Remember, my New Year’s Resolution to care about the things that God cares about? So my question, especially during our Hollywood awards season, has been, is this vitally important to God? Is our definition of greatness the same as His? How does He define greatness?

Last month, my first exploration led me to a little 3-verse song in Psalm 131 where David sang, “Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.”

I’ve meditated on this scripture each night as I’ve climbed into bed over the last month. It’s become a regular prayer on my lips. I don’t want to be proud or haughty or get involved with things that are too great or too difficult for me. I can make a choice to be content, trust that God is in control and continue to put my hope in Him. There’s always hope.

What is too great?

The theologian in me loves to ask questions of the biblical text. So, I keep asking, “What is too great?” What did David mean by that when he first sang it? What was too great for David? The king who slew giants, lions and bears? Oh my! What is too great for me? Nothing is impossible with God, right? Is there anything too great for me? What is greatness?

This led me to an obscure message for Baruch, Jeremiah’s right hand man, in the little 5-verse chapter of Jeremiah 45. God asks Baruch, “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them…” God goes on to confirm the coming disaster on His peeps for serving other gods and the works of their own hands, but He tells Baruch to be satisfied with his life. His life.

Wow. That’s all I could say. Are we seeking great things for ourselves? I’m just asking questions, Fam. This is how I wrestle with God’s Word.

Who is the Greatest?

Finally, this morning, I saw what Jesus, God the Son, says. How does he define greatness?

In Luke 22:24-27, His disciples are fighting over who’s the greatest. “And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

Jesus ensures them that each one who stands with Him through trial will be rewarded, but He’s very clear that greatness, true greatness, is bestowed upon the one who serves.

True Greatness

Trophies are nice. There’s nothing wrong with being recognized by our peers for hard work and achievement. I watch all the awards shows and sports championships (with the exception of maybe the World Series. Sorry! The Braves haven’t won since ’95! LOL) But if I follow what Jesus is saying, God doesn’t define greatest by gold trophies or accolades.

Muhammad Ali claimed, “I am the greatest!”, and he was a fantastic boxer, absolutely.

R. Kelly encouraged us to all sing that we are “The World’s Greatest“.

It’s a snazzy song. Very empowering. Love the melody. But if we’re not servants, the song is just words, Fam. I’m not trying to rain on anybody’s parade. Just the opposite. Knowing what true greatness is helps us keep things in perspective.

I have more questions than I have answers right now. I just started working through the texts. No doubt, circumstances will arise that help me walk out what I’m learning. Just thought I’d share a little bit of my journey thus far.

Have a lovely weekend,
Naima

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