Read
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
Luke 22:26
Reflect
There is a very short list of people who would be considered the unquestioned greatest of all-time in their profession. These people would usually be recognized by only their first last name. There are people like Edison and Einstein who were geniuses in their respective fields. Many people still consider Pele to be the greatest soccer player of all time, and the name Tiger will instantly bring to mind greatness on the golf course. And when you’re referring to basketball and you say Michael, people will know that you’re referring to Mr. Jordan.
In baseball, the word “Babe” can only refer to one person. George Herman Ruth is still considered the greatest player who ever played the game. He had not only excelled as a hitter with 714 home runs, primarily with the New York Yankees, but he had previously been an exceptional pitcher with the Boston Red Sox.
In music, the name that surpassed all others for decades was Elvis. He was the “King of Rock and Roll” who sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide. Elvis influenced countless musicians to follow in his footsteps. Today, people still take trips to Memphis to visit Graceland, which might be the most famous home in the United States other than the White House.
Ironically, both Babe and Elvis died on the same day 27 years apart — August 16, 1948, and 1977. More than 77,000 people paid tribute to the Babe’s open casket in Yankee Stadium. Elvis received a similar sendoff, as 80,000 people lined the route of the hearse that carried his casket to its resting place. To most people, that’s one of the marks of greatness. Beloved by millions, mourned after their passing, memorialized for how wonderful they were in life. But that isn’t greatness in the Kingdom of God.
Remember that we serve a Savior who died rejected and alone, and who was buried in a borrowed tomb and remembered initially by only a few. Yet history records Jesus as the greatest man who ever lived. Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley left an indelible mark on sports and music; Jesus altered the course of history and changed the entire world. So what made Jesus so special?
Jesus set the example that He wanted us to follow. Just before He died, Jesus had to settle a dispute among His disciples, who were arguing about who would be the greatest among them. The Lord told them that the greatest leader would be the one who served the most. What does that look like?
I recall one summer when my daughter and I were picking up her cousin from WinShape camp in northwest Georgia. The camp is largely sponsored by the founders of Chick-Fil-A, so part of the afternoon included a catered Chick-Fil-A lunch. As I was sitting on the lawn, enjoying a chicken sandwich, I heard a lady coming around to ask if anyone needed anything. She was passing out cookies and fetching drinks for the guests. It took a bit, but I finally realized that the lady was Trudy Cathy White — daughter of Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy. She grasped the notion of servant leadership, probably because she had learned it from her father.
That’s how the Lord wants us to make an impact on the world. While so many people are clamoring for power, accolades and fame, the greatest effect we can have on people is to simply serve them in whatever way we can. Instead of impressing people with our talent and abilities, we simply need to listen to them and see how we can help. If we’re truly gifted in various ways, those talents will make themselves known as we put ourselves to work. But servanthood requires us to deliberately set ourselves aside and put others first.
Today, look for your opportunity to serve someone. Most people will not expect that, so you might get some odd looks or resistance. But remember that the love of Christ in you will resound so much more purely if you’re speaking not with words but with actions. That’s how you will be truly great.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
