Making Things Great

The NBA finals are getting close, and already I am in awe of the greatness of the players. Some excel more than others and build a reputation of being a champion before any titles are handed out. Others remain in supportive roles and then, all of a sudden, a couple of good plays bring them to the forefront as a game winner. 

Everyone knows I favor the Spurs in the playoffs. Win or lose, I support them and have even been known to lose my voice from yelling at the games. The "old man," Tim Duncan is an inspiration for me. Even though I still considered myself young when I was 39, Duncan is one of the older players in the league and seems to still be in his prime. That gives us older citizens the proof that we still have some value, something to contribute to a cause. 

What do you suppose makes for champions in life?  In sports, it's the strongest, the fastest, the most aggressive and accurate. But in life, what are the standards by which greatness is measured?  We err when we think of greatness in terms of wealth or accomplishments, and even those things can be good if we maintain the proper attitude toward them.

Today I read a poster that made me stop and think about one standard that might be a measure for greatness. See what you think.

It's not our job

to toughen our children

up to face a cruel and

heartless world. It's our

job to raise children who

will make the world

a little less

cruel and heartless.

(quote from L. R. Knost)

Raising your kids is definitely one measure of greatness.  We are blessed when, in spite of the sometimes lousy job we did, our kids turn out exceptionally well.  Can you think of other standards?  Perhaps the way you conduct your business.  The way you treat your neighbor.  The way you conduct yourself when no one is watching. The things you say behind someone's back which you would never say to their face.  We cannot escape being a "standard-driven" person if we are a Christian. And once again, Jesus provides us with an example. Paul wrote about it to the Philippians. 

"Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"
 
If we wish to attain greatness in life, the humility of Jesus is THE standard by which we shall be measured. 

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