Ronald Wilson Reagan, the former 40th president of the United States once remarked: “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.” Psalm 126:1-6 confirms: “A Song of Ascents. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Not surprisingly so, the greatest things in life have often been noted to include: The existence of God, food, music, life itself, family, water and love. Some might wish to add the benefits of good health, a sense of purpose and happiness to the ever-growing list of hopefulness. Most Christians would also input the reality and significance of both the individual and the two-pronged help or amazing efforts of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit into the same equation.
Education has always been considered important. It augments the basic foundation stone of life. However, additional knowledge gleaned from teachings taken directly from the Bible are even more important factors and can embellish enlightenment. For without specific revelations, life could remain undivulged and we might have little realization of former years. Matthew 23:1-22 reminds us: “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it.
And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.”
The greatest things often commence when we start to experience good leadership qualities. To be successful in this particular field, one not only has to attain the ability to manage well, but to lead by example. Little notice is taken of those who may provide direction in words alone, but fail to back these up by action or representation. Those who do achieve this distinctive quality provide positive direction and vision for others. Their words will inspire and motivate, their actions encourage and give hope for the future.
They will effectively become a good shepherd who tend and nurture their flock. Isaiah 40:10-11 confirms: “Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
David Knott, the author of “The Psalm 23 Life: Experiencing The Love Of God Every Day” once remarked: “We are living in a fear epidemic, stoked in part by a 24/7 media that makes tragedies from around the world seem part of our everyday experience, or makes a global pandemic appear to be crouching at our door. We live in a time of great uncertainty, when important things that we once thought we could rely upon, like a job for life, have been taken from us. Perhaps not since World War II has a generation been exposed to such uncertainty and fear. The causes may be different, but the effects can be the same. In such a time as this, if you want to live your life free from fear then remind yourself, every day, that your shepherd is with you, every step of the way. Trust in him, your shepherd is with you always, and he is mighty to save.”
Accomplishment or success is imperative in life if we are to experience the benefits that greater things can generate. It is the fulfillment of a specific, striven goal that may have taken years to achieve. It may provide immense personal satisfaction to the originator, or improve confidence in self-efficacy. It is a positive and meaningful contribution to well-being. It may aid society generally and improve living standards, both locally or even globally depending on its nature or intention. Job 9:10 reminds us: “Who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.”
Whatever we do in life should ideally be based on the benefit of others. If we maintain these ideals and focus them as a principle goal, to consistently be worked toward, then great things may be forthcoming in the end result. These are the possible forerunners to achieving happiness. Likewise, Luke 6:30 reminds us: “Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” If we willingly share our possessions or ideas with those who may have a greater need than us, then the world may well become a happier and more fruitful place to live. Deuteronomy 4:34 reminds us: “Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?”
Amen.
