Greatness
Becoming the G.O.A.T
Greatness. It’s something that many strive for and for athletes achieving greatness not only got them involved in sports, but drives them to prepare, train and compete at a level that will achieve greatness. However, the pursuit doesn’t stop at “greatness” anymore, athletes want to go beyond greatness and become the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time).
Over the past decade the term GOAT has become a mainstream obsession and talking point. People argue over and over on who is the GOAT. Is it Tom Brady or Payton Manning, is it Lebron or Jordan (that answer is always MJ) or should we just stop all conversation and agree that Serena Williams is and will always be the GOAT?
This pursuit of greatness or GOAT status is nothing new to mankind. Those that walked with Jesus also had an obsession of greatness, but as we will see here, the problem isn’t whether we pursue greatness, the problem is how we define greatness; because greatness in the Kingdom of God is not defined the way it is in the kingdom of mankind.
There is an instance in the Gospel of Mark that captures a conversation between two disciples of Jesus when they were able to get him alone, away from the other 10. The brothers (James and John) tried to persuade Jesus into elevating them to GOAT status in glory and giving them a position and a platform that would make them great. They asked Jesus if they could sit on either side of him as he reigned in his Eternal Kingdom.
As much as we chuckle at this request from the brothers, isn’t it true that athletes do this as well? We have a misguided perspective that greatness is about what position we play, whether or not we are in the starting rotation or if those selecting players for All-Conference teams or All Star teams think we are good enough.
Their mistake wasn’t the request itself, their transgression was that they misunderstood what made someone great. They thought greatness was all about position, what they didn’t realize is that greatness in God’s Kingdom isn’t about a position you are elevated to, but a posture you live with.
Jesus himself exemplified what greatness is all about on the night he was betrayed at dinner with his closest friends. Jesus famously got on his knees and did the unexpected, the master became the servant by washing the feet of the disciples and in doing this Jesus displayed what greatness looked like. The scripture tells us that, “2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet” John 13:2-5
What allowed the Son of god to get down and serve? The scripture gives us some insight.
- He knew his IDENTITY (Father put all things under his feet)
- He knew his TESTIMONY (Where he came from)
- He knew where he was GOING (His mission in life)
Because he was settled on these 3 things, he was able to take off his rabbinic robe and take on the garment of a slave (towel) and in turn show all of us what greatness looks like.
Greatness isn’t about what you achieve, but it’s displayed by how you serve others.
“14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14
Athlete, if you can settle who you are in Christ (Identity), be certain of how God has shown up in your past (Testimony) and be sure of your purpose (Mission) you too can achieve greatness.
You see, greatness in the world is measured by who (or how many) serves you, but greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured by who (or how many) you serve.
Who on your team can you serve?
Whose feet can you metaphorically wash?
What kind of legacy will you leave within your team, school, or community?
These are the things that lead to a path of spiritual greatness.