Since the dawn of civilization, one of the strongest human desires has been to achieve personal greatness. In all ages men and women dominated by self-will and selfish ambition have relentlessly striven to thrust themselves into the pages of history as among the greatest.
Christ Jesus over nineteen centuries ago tersely rebuked this age-old human quest for personal greatness when he said to his disciples (Matt. 23:11), "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant." The Master plainly discerned that the importunate search for material power, wealth, and adulation was contrary to his spiritual teaching that man is at one with the Father and has no existence apart from Him. In this illuminating statement the Master lovingly sought to convey to his followers the divine key to true greatness.
Throughout his healing and redemptive mission the humble Nazarene never ascribed power or greatness to himself. He always attributed all power to God, his heavenly Father, and refused to consider for a moment the glory, riches, and homage the devil placed at his feet. He well knew that his holy purpose included no earthly kingdom to rule. Most aptly he said (John 7: 18), "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."
What is greatness? Why is a certain financier, author, public official, military figure, statesman, or religious leader accorded greatness in the eyes of the world? In studying the lives of great men and women of the past, we find that many of them expressed Christlike qualities. In their unselfed labor for the benefit of mankind, they shared such attributes as humility, simplicity, integrity, originality, and diligence. Whether their dedicated work was in the realm of invention, art, natural science, literature, world affairs, religion, or other fields, they were able to surrender personal desire and ambition and to become willing agencies for inspired thought and action in ameliorating pressing human needs.
In every age, trying experiences, betrayal of trusts, or untold hardships have blocked the paths of many great benefactors of humanity. But their vision was so broad and their purpose so impelling that they overcame every intruding obstacle one by one. Through the noble life motives of these great benefactors and their unremitting devotion to duty, all nations and races have been and are being blessed beyond measure.
Mary Baker Eddy writes on this subject of greatness in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 266): "The true leader of a true cause is the unacknowledged servant of mankind. Stationary in the background, this individual is doing the work that nobody else can or will do." Mrs. Eddy clearly perceived that true greatness was not bestowed upon those who willfully and arrogantly sought it, but was the result of complete self-abnegation and unflagging dedication of thought and effort to achieve a worthy cause for the benefit of others.
Only divinely directed purpose, made effective in loving and helpful deeds in behalf of others, assures attainment of worthwhile goals. Such selfless impulsion is the source of all true greatness. By forsaking false, human concepts of material existence and by faithfully expressing righteous activity in our daily affairs, in accordance with God's infallible plan and unfailing direction, we, as well as others, are blessed and enriched immeasurably.
True greatness is ours when we diligently work in the vineyard of our Father, endeavoring to reflect the pure Christ-consciousness in all that we do and say. We must not yield to the perverse temptation to lay claim to personal knowledge, ability, and accomplishment, nor attribute power, fame, or wealth to person, place, or circumstance. Such self-inflated and erroneous beliefs forfeit the lasting dominion, harmony, and grandeur bestowed by the Most High upon His beloved sons and daughters.
When we listen quietly for the still small voice of God, or Truth, and implicitly follow this divine direction, God reveals the wisdom and perspicacity we need to express our endowment of good. He bestows upon us the capacity to achieve all things in His name.
It is most illuminating to define the words "power," "wealth," and "acclaim" from a spiritual standpoint. The only power is the all-power of God and not the deceptive power of mortal sense testimony. The only real and lasting wealth is the endless flow of spiritual ideas from the divine Mind and not the fleeting wealth of material possessions. The only enduring acclaim is to be called the image and likeness of the Father-Mother and not the illusory acclaim of earthly eminence.
As a loyal disciple of the great Exemplar, Christ Jesus, Mrs. Eddy rejected the blandishments of human greatness. Although her inspired revelation of Christian Science brought her world renown as a great spiritual leader, she disdained personal glorification. In founding The Mother Church and arranging for the establishment of its branches throughout the United States and in other countries, as well as directing the many fruitful activities of the Christian Science movement, Mrs. Eddy expressed great love for mankind. Her superlative spiritual achievements in a densely materially minded world stand forever as irrefutable proofs of her faithful adherence to God's direction and purpose.
When world homage was thrust upon her as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy, not unmindful of the reverence bestowed by those healed and redeemed by her writings, wrote (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 306): "I have quite another purpose in life than to be thought great. Time and goodness determine greatness."
Let us, like our Leader, walk humbly in the footsteps of the great Master. Let us also obediently and faithfully follow the teachings of Christian Science, without seeking or expecting reward for our good works in the service of God and mankind. Then we shall find the key to true greatness and understand the divine import of Jesus" words, "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant."
