I had the recent privilege of speaking at the York University Chapel at The Well. When I addressed the students over our theme of God’s goodness I discussed the pitfalls a pursuit of worldly approval can bring, leaning on the metaphor of earning “stars” like that of the tale in Max Lucado’s book, You Are Special. However, it’s worth considering, since pursuing accomplishment according to the world is indeed not what makes us special or worthy of God’s grace and love, can we still strive for greatness?
Reggie McNeal, Pastor, author, and thought leader recently writing for Christian Leadership Alliance on “greatness,” posits, “Humility derives from the leader’s awareness of where his or her source of strength lies. The ambition to become a great spiritual leader frees the spirit from the idolatry of self-centeredness because greatness in the spiritual world cannot be pursued without cultivating God-consciousness”.
I spent early years of my life conflating an instinct to lead others with selfish ambition, resulting in accolades and “stars.” When truly, the issue didn’t lie with the goal setting but the approach. Trusting that God can do great things through me means I must indeed be capable of and willing to achieve greatness. I just needed to learn that the opposite of a worldly greatness is not no greatness at all. One cannot shy away from having leadership qualities or an ambitious nature if what could be accomplished will contribute to His glory. God wants and deserves our best; He does not want us to settle for mediocracy.
Pastor McNeal outlines characteristics of great Christian leadership, what it is and what it is not.
Great Christian Leadership IS NOT
- Accidental
- A Gift Bestowed
- A Consequence of Opportunities ‘Hoped” For
Great Christian Leadership IS
- Humble
- Helpful
- Effective
- Cultivated
- Self-determined
- An Earned Reward
Striving for greatness and remaining humble before God and man are not opposing attributes. They are in fact mutually inclusive when honoring our perfectly great Lord.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3: 23-24 NIV)
- Joe Davis, Director of Online and Graduate Enrollment, York University