What Is Greatness?

In C.S. Lewis book The Great Divorce there is a scene that has affected me and inspired me ever since I read it, probably over ten years ago now.

A man is sitting quietly with his mentor at the base of a mountain which is meant to signify Heaven. As they sit a glorious procession begins. Pomp and circumstance and celebration surround the arrival of a single woman. The man struggles to see her and then asks his mentor who the jubilation honors.

His teacher replies that she is no one the man ever will have heard of but the young man insists that surely she is famous for no where else has he seen such ado about a single soul.

His teacher then explains that she was no one to others on earth, while she lived, a poor widowed woman living in a humble home. But she always had room for those in need of shelter and she always had food to share with the hungry. She faithfully served others, living her life as God's hand and feet. Though on earth her life seemed unremarkable, in Heaven she received the greatest honor one can boast.

What do You want from me, Lord? Where should I go from here?

I want to make a difference for Your kingdom. I want to BE who You desire me to be.

Show me the path of my life, Lord. Help me to stop being so self-seeking and self-serving. Teach me to love and serve. I don't need to be great but I do have a deep need to do great things. I need to do Your will, follow Your ways, be Your hands and feet. What could be greater than that?

I need to stop desiring greatness and instead, become great.

"...but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant." Luke 22:26