Becoming Great According to God? Here's the Secret

As human beings, it is natural for us to always want to become the greatest. We want to be first, foremost, and well regarded. Even in serving God too, this feeling often appears.

But do we realize that the desire to be great can become a longing to glorify ourselves? When this happens, in the end it is not God who is exalted, but ourselves. I have experienced it. 

I Once Wanted to Be the Greatest

Because I was considered to have a talent for singing, I was asked to join the church singing ministry. With joy, I welcomed the request. I joined singing practice and sang in worship services gladly. After all, singing is something I love. 

However, there was a time when I felt proud. There was a desire to be the most outstanding among the other members. Besides serving, I also wanted to show off my abilities. I thought, people will know who I am. I will become the greatest and most well-known in the church. 

Until one day, I read the verse in Matthew 20:26 that says, It shall not be so among you. But whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 

Not by exalting ourselves, not by showing off our abilities, being great for God means serving Him. Serving God requires humility, and also a willingness to see God alone glorified. It was at this point that I realized my earlier thinking was wrong. Without delaying any longer, I changed immediately. 

Becoming Great as God Desires

What helped me change? 

When I read the story of John the Baptist in the Bible, I understood more clearly what it means to be great before God. 

John the Baptist had been prepared by God to proclaim Jesus, who was his relative (Luke 1:36). What is interesting is that even though Jesus would later become greater and more well-known, John was not jealous,  instead he rejoiced. 

Here are three lessons I reflected on.

1.God Must Be More and More Glorified

John 3:30 He must become greater, but I must become less. 

When I read this verse, I realized that John the Baptist was very humble. He prepared the way for Jesus (Matthew 3:3), who brings salvation. He knew that Jesus was his focus, Jesus was the One who must be glorified. Jesus must become greater, John must become less.

I realized that like John, God gave me talents so that His name would be more and more glorified. Not so that I would exalt myself. 

With all the strengths and talents that God has entrusted, who is our focus today? Is it truly for the glory of God, or ourselves?

2. Rejoice if Our Ministry Is Useful

Then, John the Baptist rejoiced because he had successfully carried out his task. 

As Jesus became more well known, John rejoiced more and more. He did not seek profit or any other benefit. What mattered was that his task was finished: leading people to Jesus, and that was enough. 

John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands nearby and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and now my joy is complete. 

From the verse above, John did not seek lofty things from his ministry. It was enough for him to do his best for Jesus, and he was glad.

We can learn to rejoice when our ministry brings more glory to His name. When our abilities and talents can be useful to the church community, we should rejoice.  Even if our name is not proclaimed, even if we are not known, rejoice when it is useful for God!

When my talent for singing can help people be enthusiastic in praising God, I rejoice. Even if my name does not become more well known, I will still rejoice. Is not God alone worthy to be glorified?

3. Faithfully Carry Out Our Role

John  the Baptist carried out his task faithfully. He accepted and fulfilled the role that God had placed him in, no matter though it seemed small in the world. 

John 1:23 says, He replied, "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness: Make straight the way for the Lord! as the prophet Isaiah said." It seems that John's role was so small. However, we know that he was serious in carrying out his task.

He knew that what he was doing was very important. Jesus is the way to salvation, and John prepared people to receive Jesus.

Like John's heart above, we need to remain faithful in carrying out the roles and tasks that have been entrusted to us. Not  all of us will receive prominent roles in ministry.  Even if the role is small and it seems that no one sees it, we still need to be faithful and glad to do it. God will value that role. 

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Being the greatest for God is not about how good we are in human eyes. Nor is it about how great someone's abilities and ministry are. Our greatness is seen from how great our heart is to serve God. 

Let us together glorify His name through our lives! God is the One who must become greater, not us.

Related Articles:

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• Attention! Do the Words You Speak Glorify God?
• When My Plans Are Not God's Plans
• Jesus Wants Us to Be Ourselves
• When a Child Compares Themselves: Is Comparison Really the Thief of Joy?