How to be great in this life!

Luke 9:46-50

46-48 The disciples of Jesus started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. “Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.” 49 John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.” 50 Jesus said, “Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.”

Food for thought!

Imagine if you can. The disciples of Jesus are engaged in an argument about who among them is the greatest. They want to know the most influential among them; the greatest.

In order to correct the immature and foolish thinking of his disciples, Jesus sat down to teach them the truth, the paradox. He tells them that the way to greatness is through serving the small; the way to being significant is through serving the insignificant: "Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great."

Jesus is teaching us all the truth that true greatness is achieved through the humble service of others. That is a lesson that has been lost in our day. Some people think they deserve respect and preferential treatment just because they occupy a certain position, or because they drive a certain car, or… You are not great because of the position you occupy, you are great because of the service you render to others. The price and prize of greatness is service. The greatest people the world has ever known are those whose served us most.

If you really want others to honour you, serve them; if you want them to respect you, respect them; if you want others to love you, love them. Put others before yourself and meet their needs, forgetting about your own needs. Give them the first seat, without wanting anything in return. We get what we give, if we serve others, they'll serve us; if we hate, hurt, dislike others they'll hate, hurt and dislike us.

Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

The parable of the talents is a good analogy of what happens when we give our service. When we merely try to hold on to what is given or entrusted to us, life may seem to take away even that. But when we choose to use what life has given us, the return of abundance can include friendship, companionship, financial blessings, homes, transportation, and security in wonderful ways. The universe holds nothing back from the one who lovingly and sincerely serves.

Think of some ways you can use your mind, your energy, and your time, your resources to serve. Are you using all you have in the best and most creative ways? Is there something constructive that you can do that could add to the good of the world? Remember, “little things can mean a lot.” Plant one seed and it can yield many fruits. This is how nature operates, and we are a part of nature.