What Makes for a Great Life?

Here’s a question I want you to take some time to consider: What has brought you the most joy, happiness, and fulfillment in life, and why do you think that is? I was talking with a very successful businessman who surprised me when he told me what his was. I thought he would list some of his major achievements over fifty-plus business years, but instead he said, “It’s that I’ve been able to use my position, wealth, and influence to help other people.” The smile on his face told me of his deep satisfaction from how his company had made a difference in improving so many people’s lives. 

He could smile because he was fortunate to have fulfilled the God-given desire that’s inside each of us to succeed and to achieve in life. It started when God told Adam, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion…” (Genesis 1:28). But it’s a mistake to think that achievement and success are what bring us fulfillment and happiness or cause us to be great in the kingdom of God. I believe that God wants us to accomplish great things, but He wants us to do it with the right heart. Jesus’ concept of greatness in those who follow Him is found in serving others, and it’s the standard He set: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). 

It can be hard to wrap our head around serving others as the key to a great life. Our culture teaches just the opposite. What we see is people manipulating others, stepping over people, and doing things to try to gain more authority and power. But Jesus gave us the ultimate example of greatness at the Last Supper on the evening before His betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. When He overheard some of the disciples disputing among themselves about who was the greatest, He reminded them that He was among them “as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). Then to show His disciples the meaning of greatness, He washed their feet (John 13). The message He wanted them to understand before He left this earth was that service is the greatest thing in the kingdom of God.  

When we reflect back on our life, we want to see a life of greatness, a life well lived. God wants you in a strategic place because He wants you to make a difference in this world, but He also wants you to know that it’s through your service, it’s through your giving, it’s through stooping down when it’s not convenient and washing other people’s feet that you will be made great. Let your life shine in servanthood.