The Path To Greatness
Greatness means different things to different people. Especially men. For some, it could be a measure of wealth or professional success. For others, it could be a desire to achieve a lifetime milestone such as climbing Mt. Everest, or setting a new world record, or winning an olympic medal.
For most of us, you’re thinking, “I’m just trying to tackle everything I have on my plate this week—don’t have much time to consider greatness.” True dat.
However, Scripture teaches us that we were put on this planet with a purpose, on purpose, and for a purpose. While it is so easy to get caught up in the grind that is life, it is important to keep our priorities in perspective.
One definition of greatness is “unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc."
But my favorite definition is “important; highly significant or consequential.” I like this one because it begs a couple of questions.
Does what I do matter?
If so, how? Does what I accomplish effect other people in a positive way? And for how long? Are they temporal or eternal? How large is my scope—meaning—how many people am I affecting with what I was put here to do?
There isn’t a single human being that was ever breathed into existence that wasn’t put here to make an everlasting mark on the past, present, and future. There are too many scriptures to mention but here are a few.
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:6
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
“ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
We were made for greatness. No one else was created to do what you were put on this earth to do.
Greatness is achieved simply by accomplishing what you were put here on this earth to do.
In order to achieve it, there are three things we must to do.
1. Understand Your Purpose
If you don’t know why you are here, that’s the first place to start. You were not an accident. There’s isn’t a more important question in life to answer than, “Why am I here?” Who put me here? Who am I living for? Myself? My family? Or something bigger? When life is all said and done, did my life matter?
"The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Matthew 23:11-12
Rick Warren, author of ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ has spoken extensively on this topic and I suggest you to grab a copy of his book if you are struggling with these questions. Also check out this message from him.
2. Implement Your Purpose
Dream Big.
Michael Jordan said it this way, “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.”
You must first believe you have the ability to achieve greatness. We all have it in us from our maker, but tapping into it and making it a reality will determine what we achieve.
“You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness.” —Zig Ziglar
Make a plan, let it take shape, then implement it. One step at a time.
3. Never give up.
Never, ever give up. For most of us, our purpose and path to greatness has more than one avenue. There is one root but like a tree or a plant, it has many branches. We spend our lives evolving. For those of us over 30 or 40, I dare say we would consider ourselves to be the same people we were in our early 20’s. That’s because life’s experiences change us, but God’s plan for our lives is a long and winding road. Along the path, there are many unexpected turns. And some of those turns and obstacles are challenging and difficult. Some of them just downright brutal and devastating. The key is to never give up. Persistence pays off on the path to greatness.
Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.” Do you believe this? If the creator, maker, and savior of the universe told us point blank ‘good luck succeeding at anything without me’ how can we ever expect to achieve greatness without consulting him about it?
“Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phillipians 4:6
If you take God at his word, then talk with him everyday.
He alone instilled greatness into your character, your being.
He alone put into all of us the desire and the motivation never to settle for simply existing and not accomplishing our purpose. So talk to Him everyday. Much like you would a parent or a mentor.
Just talk to Him.
Ask questions. Don’t forget to be still and listen.
We have no bigger fan than the One who designed us and fashioned us in his likeness and his image.
"How to be great" has been addressed by millions of self-improvement coaches and mentors around the globe but the truth is we cannot hit the target without first defining what it means to be great. Jesus Christ himself said, "The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
We were made for greatness. No one else was created to do what you were put on this earth to do.
Comments