People have different definitions of “greatness.” One definition differs from another, and who’s to say which is wrong? There is only one problem with greatness: It’s when a person decides to live beneath his or her definition.
Beyond that, there are time-tested ways to develop your greatness. Don’t worry if you don’t get them all at once … they’re meant to be practiced for the rest of your life!
1. True Greatness Is Found in Christ.
There’s no way around it. Christ is the standard by which God measures all things. True greatness, in the Eyes of God, is found in Christ alone. In Him, we see God’s original purpose and ultimate destiny for mankind. All of God’s best is found in Christ—period:
“We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything … everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment” (Colossians 1:15-17, MSG).
To get closer to Christ is to discover our greatest greatness!
2. True Greatness Is Found in Service.
Though there are different definitions of greatness, there is only one thing that characterizes it: service. We were all meant to be great because we were all meant to serve.
Paul when he spoke about greatness and service said,
“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand” (Philippians 2:3-4, MSG).
3. True Greatness Is Found in YOUR Sphere.
Or your place of purpose.
What made people like the Apostle Paul so effective in life was that he understood his purpose, embraced it and never strayed from it. He understood his “sphere.” For instance, he said:
“We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you) … not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment” (2 Corinthians 10:13-16, NKJV).
The word “sphere” comes from the Greek word “kanon,” which means “a boundary or place of activity.” When we truly understand our purpose, we understand our place of activity. In addition to that, we also understand where our sphere ends and another person’s begins. We find our greatest fruitfulness, accomplishment and influence in our sphere—in those things that relate to our purpose.
4. True Greatness Is Found in Suffering.
Or suffering for what’s right.
This kind of suffering prepares, sharpens and fortifies. This kind of suffering is a gift:
“There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for Him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting” (Philippians 1:29, MSG).
And truth is this suffering also is the best teacher of all: “My troubles turned out all for the best—they forced me to learn from your textbook” (Psalm 119:71, MSG).
Questions: Are there any other steps to greatness we missed? What does greatness mean to to you?
