Are you living God’s highest best for your life? Historically, we think of individuals that are newsworthy such as Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelo, and Barack Obama. What we often forget is that behind each of these people and their road to greatness are thousands of lesser-known people who in their sphere of influence obtained their own measure of importance.
God plan includes greatness for every human being. Our Christian faith teaches us that Jesus paid the ultimate price to free humanity. God’s objective is that we would worship him which includes how we live our daily lives. Living God’s highest best requires our being enlightened and by letting go of the worlds preconceived definitions of success.
Jesus is our example of greatness. He taught his disciples that to be genuinely great required the heart of a servant. The world seeks self-prominence as their motivation for greatness. We see in the lives of Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, John F. Kennedy, and Mother Teresa, modern day examples of greatness. These are individuals who were persons motivated to serve others with their gifts time, talents and financial resources. In them, we see leadership which demonstrated empathy, kindness, and sacrifice. According to Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, Mother Teresa considered herself just “a pencil in God’s hand” and was convinced that God was using her “nothingness” to show His greatness.
The prophet Habakkuk stood on a mountain and waited on God to reveal His plan to save his nation. This reflective thinking and listening to God for clarity is vital in achieving our individual greatness. We must do as Habakkuk wait on the Lord to give us His plan. According to Alex Altman, the author of the book, Take Action, a great way to set yourself up for success is to put a structure in place that forces you to do this [to live your greatness]. As Heavenly Father to give you a plan, I believe everyone can achieve greatness,” but the problem is that most of us don’t want to do the work.
William Shakespeare said, “Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” However, to live your greatness requires moving from it from a dream to reality. For a desire to become a reality, we must do the work. Work is the only means to achieve true greatness.
You may have a plan, a vision, gifts, and talents but without execution, all you have is a wish. Wishful thinking is only in the mind of the person with the thought, so it is best articulated by a written plan. However, even when a wish is articulated, itis not a reality until there is implementation. Maya Angelou is quoted as saying, “if you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” She also quoted as saying “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because, without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” It will take courage. However, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Scripture References:
Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.