As I stepped into his office that day, I wondered if he’s the revered Bishop that everyone talked about. His humility was beyond this world. I left his presence feeling great. Then I remembered what I read in a book prior to that time; a truly great person makes you feel great and not otherwise. I had read it in a book, now I see it in a man.
Friend, true greatness is not what most people think. Until we see greatness with the lens of God and eternity, we may be pursuing shadows while missing reality (Luke 1:15, 32). Contrary to what a lot of people think, true greatness is making others great. A truly great man makes you feel great and not the other way round (2 Timothy 1:6).
I believe that there would be a lot of surprises in heaven. Truly, the first shall be the last and the last the first (Mark 10:31). Understanding how God sees and measures greatness will help you to rethink your life and practices. Stop pursuing shadows. Stop going about establishing your own greatness. Let God make you great.
Some people see service as a pathway to greatness. But I see service as the greatness itself (Matthew 23:11, Luke 22:27). You are not serving so that you can become great, you are serving because you are great. When you see a man who serves his generation, you are seeing greatness in its purest form (Acts 13:36).
Greatness is in making others great. Jesus came to make God great. He always pointed attention to God while He was on earth (John 17:4). Jesus did not live for personal aggrandizement. He lived to make God famous. We are also here to make God famous. Through our lives, people should see God (1 Peter 2:9).
Your greatness is locked in someone else’s greatness. Who is that person that you are willing to lay your back for him to rise (John 3:30)? Where are spouses that are ready to give their all for their partners to rise (Judges 4:4, Proverbs 31:23)? Where are pastors who must decrease for their members to increase and vice versa? When you find someone whose greatness will determine your greatness, serve that person. This is true greatness.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria