3) Greatness is established when you die in the process..
Greatness doesn’t sound so appealing anymore, does it? But it’s true. Only when you pass away on the way to your goal/dream, after having gone through many hardships but enduring them with integrity, is greatness most often established. Sometimes you can complete your work, but it won’t be affective until after you expire. (Christians, consider Hebrews 9:16-17) That’s why one has to be working on something that’s greater than themselves--something greater than their name. Life is much more than “getting your name out there” or building up your wealth. Having goals are one thing; and a very important thing at that. But a dream….is a “thing of beauty, and a joy forever!” Goals are personal desires put into action plans. Dreams are much larger. It includes you in its desires and plans.
Let’s consider some fallen great ones. We’ll start off with the great dreamer and doer, MLK. Yeah, he talked about a better day and was working on it. But it wasn’t until years after his assassination that his dream is becoming a reality for many people. Though his work gained him some personal success, he dreamed up something much larger than him. Something that included him primarily as the mouthpiece. Because of such, his legacy and dream continue to this day. What greatness!
Consider Bob Marley. His socially conscious songs reverberated throughout the music industry. Also during his life he performed at major political concerts promoting peace and unity through his music. But it wasn’t until after his death that he became a world-wide music legend, winning Time magazine’s greatest album of the 20th century. There’s many, many more names I can refer, but let me stop at these two just to point out that their greatness was bonafide, solidified, and justified in the untimely event of their death. But despite their worldwide popularity, their road wasn’t glorious. Greatness is very costly! For instance, both MLK and Marley were shot in the line of duty, recovered and still pressed on in their purpose. These men, plus many more, paid their dues with deposits made to their personal Bank of Integrity.
Even though greatness seems to have fame right at its heels, I submit to you that we are living among, what I like to call, “Common Greatness.” That simply means that we all know a person, or know of a person in our lives, who has demonstrated the attributes of greatness. No true story fits this category more for me than a DC local great, Noble Jolley Sr. Though widely known in the DC area and beyond as a fantastic guitarist, teacher and preacher, Noble (that’s actually his first name) will go down in history as a great family man! I could go on and on about his accomplishments in music and teaching, but what made him great was his personal sacrifice. Earlier in his music career, because he was such great guitarist, Blue Note recording company tapped him on the shoulder to make a CD and “be a star.” He reportedly turned it down primarily because he did not want to be an absentee dad! (He was married with 7 children). He knew that the life of a musician had the potential to be strenuous with always being either on the road or in the studio. He wanted neither. He’d rather be accessible to his family. Essentially, he turned down a million dollar opportunity because he knew that money couldn’t buy presence. Lastly on Mr. Jolley, when one of his musician daughters needed a favor for an upcoming gig, he is quoted as saying, “Sure! I’d love to do it. I just want to serve you! Serving my family makes me the happiest man on this earth!” The day he was to serve his family, was the day they buried him from a rare heart condition. Though he didn’t enjoy the popularity of other, more famous musicians, he profoundly touched the lives of those he knew in a great way.
So, there you have it. I submit to you, what I would consider, the top 3 criteria for the nomination of great. Greatness:
1) Finds those who are not looking for great things or a reputation
2) Is borne out of hardships, but stays morally principled and
3) Established when you die in the process
In closing, I say to you that greatness is achievable. Not everybody is, but they always will have the potential to be great. It is all up to you. Though it’s a tall order, it is possible. Though it’s costly, it is affordable. You don’t have to have a great name, have great beginnings, a great background, or a great situation. All you have to do is great things! Continue to make self-controlled deposits into your Bank of Integrity, and when the time comes, you’ll be able to afford greatness in your life.
Life is short! You might as well make it great! J
Thanks for reading!
