"Greatness!"

“Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.” (1 Chronicles 29:12)

Greatness is God’s will for all of our lives. God has purposed all of us to live in a manner to step into greatness. I believe if we can set in our hearts to reach for greatness, it will direct our lives into God’s best. I heard a godly football coach declare, “If you focus on being great, then the “stuff” or distractions of life will not matter.”

As I talk about greatness, we have to be careful what definition we use about what true greatness is. The greatness I am talking about is not a greatness in the world and greatness among men. The greatness I am talking about is a greatness from God’s perspective. Like the declaration that was made about John the Baptist. “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord...” (Luke 1:15) When a man or woman of God receives the greatness that is in the sight of God, it is an eternal greatness all the spiritual realm gives homage to. Because when we step into the greatness of being conformed into the likeness of Jesus, we are reflecting the very nature and character of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we pursue the likeness of Jesus with all our hearts, the distractions of this life will not matter.

What is being great in the sight of God? I believe stepping into the greatness of God is to seek with all our heart, to be transformed into the image and the likeness of Jesus Christ. There is nothing greater than fulfilling our eternal destiny of growing into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:28-29; Ephesians 4:15). Every being in Heaven and earth will bow and confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Other than God the Father, there is no one greater than Jesus Christ. Growing into the greatness of the likeness of Jesus in this world, is the fulfillment of the judgment all of us will experience. Judgment will release the eternal rewards, blessing and praise from God into our lives (1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Peter 4:12-13).

God has called us to live outside of ourselves, reaching out with all our hearts for the greatness that is ours in Christ Jesus. “So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.” (Hebrews 13:13–14) John the Baptist totally live outside of Himself, seeking fulfill all God had purposed for Him.

When we reach outside of ourselves by seeking Him with all our hearts and expressing His greatness to others, we experience the kairos moments He has called us to step into. God is calling us into His greatness; therefore, let’s pursue the reality of Jesus being formed in us. (Galatians 4:19). “Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.” (1 Chronicles 29:12)