Read Genesis 12:1-3
Is it a sin to be great? Over the years, I’ve heard statements that imply it is. Some have said, “It’s not about me. It’s about God.” Or, “People need to see God, not me.” Yes, we should avoid self-promotion, but I wonder if believers in Jesus can take it too far?
To those who think it’s a sin to pursue greatness, have you ever considered that God promised greatness to men like Abraham and David? To Abraham He said, “I will make your name great” (Genesis 12:2 NIV). To David He said, “I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth” (2 Samuel 7:9). Does it get any greater than that?
As I read these passages, it doesn’t seem that God considers achieving greatness in and of itself wrong. He was not concerned that their greatness would take away from His ultimate greatness. In fact, it’s just the opposite. All that we are comes from God. And when we seek to do great things to glorify Him, we are ultimately reflecting the Source of our greatness.
To those who would say, “It’s not about us. It’s about God,” I would ask, “Why isn’t it about us and God?” After all, God created us as His image bearers (Genesis 1:27). As human beings, we are designed to reveal and reflect His greatness and glory to a world that desperately needs to see more of Him.
We shouldn’t look to be honored like the hypocrites who craved to be noticed (Matthew 6:1), but we also don’t need to apologize for greatness when it’s noticed in us. It’s not about stroking our egos and becoming arrogant. It’s about acknowledging a shared partnership and purpose. It’s about celebrating the privilege of having God use our lives to advance His kingdom.
( taken from Our Daily Journey)
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