A few days back, I put up a post called “Satisfy Your Deepest Longings” about how our longings are not sin but God designed and given to us to manage. It stirred up some conversations here and on social media, but one reader posed a question I wanted to answer here.

Debbie Zeigler (Ziggy317) asked:

What are a couple of examples of how the longing for greatness is practically worked out with humility? There’s freedom tucked in there somewhere. 

I love this question.

As I considered her question, a thought poked its head into my mind. Muth. That’s what we called my mother in our family. Muth was amazing. I grew up a few years back (okay–a few decades back) when Muth worked full time as a mom. At least while I demanded care. When I hit my teens, Muth went to work, but while I was little-tiking she was momming full time.

The job tended to be thankless, the hours grueling, and the pay, intangible. It’s exactly what the women’s movement of the sixties and seventies militated against. Women fought for liberation and won. Women have some freedom to choose work over home if they want.

And I’m not thinking about ranting about that. I’m pretty egalitarian for a white male in his sixties.

But I’ll tell you something about Muth. She was the greatest! I don’t think my brothers would argue the point, and I know Fath wouldn’t. It turns out greatness exists in the most unlikely places.

You find it in the servant’s heart.

When the boys (Jesus’ disciples) were arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom they saw coming down the pike, Jesus tweaked their passions.

He didn’t rebuke them for wanting to be great.

He didn’t chide their foolish ambition.

He didn’t tell them they should take a vow of loserness.

He simply gave them the secret to true greatness.

“But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; – Mark 10:43

It’s not wrong to desire greatness, the path is just not what we think. The path to the top of the corporate later runs through the servants quarters.

True greatness takes off His robe, puts on a towel and washes the feet of the one who would that night betray Him, and the others who would scatter and deny before sunup.

Thanks for the question, Debbie.

Blessings,

Come back soon.

Ben