“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and
asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child and had him stand
among them. And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and
become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes
me. But if anyone causes one of these
little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a
large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the
sea.’” (Matthew 18:1-6)
The key to greatness is not in seeking after
it, in seeking to gain acclaim for ourselves.
The key to true greatness is in laying aside any claim to personal
acclaim and seeking instead to give our lives for God and for others.
The world honors those who take care of
themselves. It honors those who make
sure what they do is noticed and reported.
But God does not honor such tactics.
Jesus said, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) If we seek acclaim for ourselves we will
never receive it from God. If we lay
aside any desire for personal acclaim to serve God and others, that God will
honor.
God is looking for men and women who have a
heart to serve Him and to serve others.
God is looking for men and women whose aim is not for personal comfort,
personal honor, personal achievement, or personal happiness. God is looking for men and women who will put
aside themselves and their desires and long for Him and long to help His world.
Will we be such men and women?
His, by Grace,
Steve
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