Greatness is Dependent Upon Faithfulness to the LORD
For thirty years, it has been a great pleasure to teach young adults, and during these seasons spent in both the high school and university setting, there is something distinct that has been noticed over time: Character Supersedes Performance. Over the years, I have taught many dramatists and athletes, and although many “hope” to make it BIG, making it to Broadway, making it to the NBA or the WMBA, making it to the NL or AL, or even making it to any elevated level where one is paid well for his performance, MOST DO NOT. During the past thirty years, I can think of three students who made it BIG; however, the number of student-performers and student-athletes who performed skillfully at the high school and university levels remains a large number of individuals. In knowing that many strive but few actually make it to the BIG STAGE, it makes one wonder why the world values the making it “BIG” more important than succeeding where one is planted and growing in character, even godly character, as MOST IMPORTANT?
The apostle Paul discussed this important concept in his first letter to the believers living in Corinth as he compared the “natural man” to the “spiritual.”
“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God,
(The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 2: 14-16 NASB)
for they are foolishness to him;
and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually appraised.
But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD,
THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM?
But we have the mind of Christ.”
Years from now, people will remember one’s character, the way he cared for those around him, for the way he ran his business, and for the way he walked with the Lord, but the trophies, the performances, and the accolades he won while playing his sport or performing on stage will all be forgotten by the surrounding world. The most important lesson parents can ever teach their children is HOW TO BECOME A CHILD OF GOD. That is what the apostle Paul discussed when he compared the “natural man” to the Spiritually appraised.” The person who remains “natural” is the one who does not receive Jesus as his Savior, and the “spiritual” is the person who gives his heart to Jesus and faithfully walks within the Holy Spirit’s leading during the person’s lifetime. Friend, I do not know about you, but I am 100% convinced that all children need the education learned during Sunday School, Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, and Wednesday Night Children’s and Youth Bible Study MORE than they need daily practice for sports, band, drama, etc. While a person’s endeavor to become an athlete, actor, and performer are SO important, these endeavors are NOT more important than the instruction one receives in the Bible. We know this to be true because when the final whistle blows or when the final curtain closes, the ONLY IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT THAT WILL MATTER IS ONE’S DECISION TO THE QUESTION: WHAT DID YOU DO WITH CHRIST?
Unfortunately, today’s culture “preaches” another message, so it remains the job of parents and guardians to “teach” the more important message at home.
Please do not hear me say that sports or performances do not matter for as a former athlete and cross-country coach, I understand the many lessons learned. These teach disciple, teamwork, leadership and perseverance, qualities that shape one’s character wonderfully. However, the gospel message calls us to die to self, to lay down our lives and to follow Jesus. As we do, a follower seeks to walk in humility, to serve where the Spirit leads, to sacrifice yourself for others, and to remain faithful at all cost.
The world does not teach any of these.
The world teaches how influencers are king, that visibility is king, and personal advancement is king.
As Christians, we can celebrate a youth’s skills on the playing field, on the court, or on the stage and NOT CONFUSE THAT SUCCESS AS THE WORLD DOES. Instead, we can encourage our youth to train their bodies and minds to perform well on the platform they are given SO THEY CAN BE AN ENCOURAGER, AN INFLUENCER, AND A WITNESS TO THEIR TEAMMATES AND PEERS.
The Lord Jesus taught two of His disciples the BEST way to live one day as they were traveling the road to Jerusalem.
“Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them,
(The Gospel According to Mark 10: 42-45 NASB)
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them;
and their great men exercise authority over them.
But it is not this way among you,
but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave to all.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many.”
A Christian understands the important truth.
GREATNESS IS NOT DEPENDENT ON VISIBILITY BUT UPON FAITHFULNESS TO THE LORD.