Greatness is a funny thing. We often think of people whom we think are great, but then they go and do things that make us think they’re not so great after all. Our culture celebrates greatness in the forms of political power, athletic prowess, musical talent, and acting ability. But those people whom we place on the pedestal of greatness often come crashing down when it turns out that they are dishonest or self-serving. A few days ago someone was talking about a child actor who was known by a friend of his. The friend said how nice the kid was until he went into acting – now he’s full of himself. Arrogance is never associated with greatness. Isn’t it funny that the people who want to be great are the ones who, if they achieve it, are the first to lose it? And then there are others who never seek to find it and yet their lives are marked by it. Their character simply exudes humility, and this humility helps them achieve what those with pride have been trying to grasp but can’t seem to get their hands on. The disciples lived in a culture similar to ours: people fought for fame and greatness. Even they were fighting with themselves over who was greater. The irony is that people who are great couldn’t care less about their greatness while those who desire it will often never achieve it.
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