True Greatness

I have been thinking over the past couple of weeks again about what it takes to be truly great. I suppose the death of Stephen Gately, from Boyzone aged just 33 has led me to think again of the legacy that I would leave, should life be taken from me. You see I also am 33.

My mind was drawn to the scripture, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35).

It's true to say that the vast majority of the people today think of life in terms of ease, comfort, luxury and security. But, as I thought over these qualities, I recognised that we could have all of these in abundance and still not really be happy or contented.

Gadgets and possessions don't have the capacity to satisfy the human soul.

Biblical scholars believe Jesus also lost his life aged 33. By this stage, he had saved the world -- without comforts, luxuries or security that we would understand. There definitely is a vast difference between the popular ideas of today and the philosophy that Jesus taught.

Jesus saved the world through self-sacrifice. He calls his people to a life of self-sacrifice. It's the only way to find real life, rich life, a full life. Jesus never tried to bribe people by offering an easy way. He offered poverty, misunderstanding, criticism and a cross.

Of course, this principle is not limited to religion. In the days of World War II when Winston Churchill took over as PM, all that he offered the people of Britain was, "blood, sweat and tears". It resulted in Britain's "finest hour".

True greatness, I concluded, comes from a life of self sacrifice -- putting others before our own desires and taking the example of Christ and others to heart.

May God bless you.

Graeme Parkhill