How Do You Define Greatness?

My son Joshua is a very gifted young man and will be an effective pastor some day. He’s the kind of person about which people say: “He's called to greatness.” By this they usually mean a large church, big budget, and high profile. Joel Osteen says we are created for greatness! Considering the size of his ministry, and judging by his focus on the “material” realm, I would say he defines greatness in a similar way. The real question is: How does God define greatness?

Think of Jesus' ministry: it started large—5,000 people or more—and grew smaller every day. “Many left him,” until only a handful of people were left. And most of those abandoned Him in His hour of need, His trial and execution on the cross. He never wrote a book or built anything tangible. He was hated and rejected by most people of his time. (By the way, one of the most disturbing features of Joel Osteen’s ministry is how much the world loves him!) No, indeed, Jesus’ life could not be measured by any temporal thing. By all outward signs, He was a failure—no greatness there!

We live in a culture that equates size with success. Bigger is better. God does not call us to find joy in the amount of work we do, or the number of people who are a part of that work, but in doing our work—whatever it is—for His sake. When Jesus prayed (John 17), He said “I have glorified My Father; I have finished the work He gave me to do.” Serving Him in a small place (which may seem mediocre to others) is not a stepping-stone to greatness. In God’s economy, IT IS GREATNESS!