Be Great
April 24, 2010
by Pastor Jeremiah
This Spring, once again, I'm coaching my son's basketball team. It's the perfect age group. They are all 4th-6th grade boys. They haven't reached that too cool for school stage yet and they still think that, even though I'm an adult, I'm a pretty cool guy.
The best part about the whole experience is the deep and meaningful conversations we have after practice is over. Who is the greatest NBA basketball player? Is it Lebron James, or Kobe Bryant? Lebron James is the odds on favorite with his death defying dunks super human athleticism. However, one of my players says that Kobe is the best because he's the smartest player. I tried to make a case for Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, or Michael Jordan, but judging by the blank stares on all of their faces, they were a little too young to remember any of those guys.
That's the thing with greatness ...it's so fleeting. As Solomon says, “there is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.” (Ecc. 1:11) Ouch! Have you ever felt that way? That nothing you have accomplished in life really lasts. During the first practice of the season the boys wanted to know what my coaching credentials were. I explained to them that I played college basketball and I even dropped 21 points in one game. They were mildly impressed. It was just enough to get them to do their defensive slides drills because I knew what I was talking about. However, a few minutes later I was demonstrating a lay-up and it clanged off the side of the rim. The looks on their faces said it all. The glory has departed.
Jesus had some amazing things to say about greatness. “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:33) Based on our value system this statement makes no sense at all. I'm tempted to just ignore it all together, but I know that when I don't understand Jesus, I am in the dark and I would rather live in the light. Thankfully, there's another way of looking at these words of Jesus. Maybe greatness isn't something that is attained in this life. Jesus also said, “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Mt. 6:20) Having this view of greatness causes us to drastically change the way we define the word.
If greatness is a treasure that we store up for ourselves in heaven, then it is not defined by accomplishments, wealth, social status, or the praise of men. Those are the common things that we attribute greatness to in this life. If we want to live a great life, we need to have an eternal focus. What does that mean? When God’s people live in light of eternity, values change. They use their time and money more wisely. They place a higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Their priorities are reordered. Keeping up with trends, fashions, and popular values just don't matter as much anymore. Paul said, “I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done." (Phil. 3:7 NLT).
* If you are looking for a church in Seattle, check out Westside church this Sunday. We're located just North of downtown in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. Check us out this weekend!
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