The desire of my generation is SUCCESS, few people aspire for greatness. Success according to Oxford Dictionary is: ‘The ACCOMPLISHMENT of an AIM or PURPOSE’, ‘a PERSON or thing that ACHIEVES success’. , If I set a goal to make my first one million dollars before my 30th birthday, irrespective of how I make, if my bank alerts me a day to my 30th birthday that my account has been credited with $1,000,000, then I am a success, I have successfully made the one million dollars. There are many successfully being in my generation, men and women who want fame without playing the game. Before you say your next prayer be sure of the language in use, little wonder the Bible talks of GOOD SUCCESS, (Joshua 1:8).
Success in nth term will equal to greatness. Oxford dictionary defines great as ‘of an extent, amount, ability, quality, eminence or intensity considerably ABOVE AVERAGE’. There is a standard to grow above in greatness; There are few great human on the surface of the earth as wide as it is, although, there are many who dream to be great but what creates inertia or inaction in the lives of many dreamers is that they dread the enormity of what is involved to accomplish their dreams. I know you know there is always a price to pay to receive a prize. Just like the mathematical fixed law; 1+1=2, so is principle for greatness. It is universal, if practiced in Dominica, Ghana, Nigeria, America, and your country, greatness will be achieved. It is a definite and identifiable quality. Greatness is asking you a question; GREAT NEXT, who is the next great human? Don’t just claim it in Jesus Christ name. Let’s see the recipe for greatness as practiced and believed by these ‘great men’.
A contemplation of God’s works, a generous concern for the good of mankind, and the unfeigned exercise of humility-these only, denominate men great and glorious. –Addison
The study of God’s word, for the purpose of discovering God’s will, is the secret discipline which has formed the greatest characters. –Alexander
Greatness consists not in holding some high office; Greatness really consists in doing some great deed with little means; in the accomplishment of vast purposes from the private ranks of life. –Conwell
Some must be great. Great offices will have great talents. And God gives to every man the virtue, temper, understanding, taste that lifts him into life and lets him fall just in the niche he was ordained to fall. –Cowper
Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force; that thoughts rule the world. –Emerson
He only is advancing in life whose heart is getting softer, whose blood warmer, whose brain quicker, and whose spirit is entering into living peace. And the men who have this life in them are the true Lords and kings of the earth. –Ruskin
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.-Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:4)
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. – Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:27)
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. – Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:11)
Greatness is a question whose answer is service. God is whole, human being is part of HIM and the parts are meant to serve the whole. Just as the human body is whole, head, hands, and legs are part of the body that are meant to serve the total body but God can be God without you. We are living entities, being part and parcel of God, duty-bound to serve HIM. Give me the name of a man that serves God and I will give you the name of a great man. I have a question for you; can a man serve God without serving human being?
With due respect to hieratical order, we (you and I) always render services to someone; spouse, family, friends, company, country, or society. On a lighter note, don’t you think I am rendering a service to you now? There are numerous ways of serving God; if you don’t serve human being you will serve animals. Some who are too big and rich to serve people with their money keep pets like cat or dog. When service rendered is not properly directed it leads to frustration. We must set our priorities right; we are to serve God through human being, don’t turn human being to God, don’t serve to impress man, you will be depressed because you will be oppressed. You cannot say you want to serve a tree and start watering its leaves or the branches, you will of cause watch it and make it newer but it is of little benefit. To serve a tree is to pour water to the root. So, to be great, God is all you need to serve and other parts will benefit from your service.
FINAL NOTE: My 5 years of service at the Student’s Union Government level in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology during my 5 years program and in all the three arm of government (Executives, Legislature and judiciary) help me to conclude that the more you serve the higher you are ranked. Come let us reason together; all living entities are part and parcel of God, so why is human being given a better chance to live better than the swine or other animals? Why does staff’s pay differ from office to office? All things being equal, the more significant your service, the higher your pay. Remember what Newton wrote before he died; ‘Energy neither be created nor destroy…, so, your labour of love will pay off, it is a matter of time. Serve to be served.
October, 2011
