Would you think that the desire to be great is unchristian? If a child said to you, “I want to be great!”, would you correct him by saying, “You ought to not desire to be great! You have to be humble and seek God’s greatness. Not yours!”

If you remember, one unique thing about Christianity is that we affirm and not disapprove our desires. Desires themselves are not bad. They are good. They are put there by God. If anything, our desires are too small, as C.S. Lewis would say!

Take this saying of Jesus for example: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matt 23:11) Jesus is telling his disciples HOW to be great! Another time, when his disciples asked him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus never rebuked them for wanting to be great, but how to be great by telling them to be like little children (Matt 18:3)

So, then what is greatness? But here is the more critical question: In whose eyes are you great?

Truly great ones are not the ones who are great in the eyes of the world. They are the ones great in God’s eyes – the only eyes that matter and that will last. And who are great in His eyes? Those who are servants and are like little children.

So, ask yourself this question: In whose eyes do I want to be great? Who do I want affirmation from? Who do I seek to gain approval from?

“In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (Ephesians 1:5)”

You are already accepted! You are already approved!

Stop trying to prove yourself – especially in the eyes of the world….

PH