Calling our Men to True Greatness
September 14, 2008
True greatness is counterintuitive. For all the egotism of our culture, we still like a great man or woman who does not flaunt it. As soon as a celebrity embraces all the applause for their athletic or acting or musical skills, the greatness seems to be tainted. This is true no less in the political world, where the recent political conventions, while boasting the merit of their respective candidates, focused equally on their selfless service to their community and country.
Though much of this is doubtless lip-service to humility, the fact remains that we are hardwired to appreciate the greatness of selflessness. At the same time, we men especially must ask, how often do we strive after such greatness? How is it that we who have so little to boast in tend to be so proud? How is it that ultimately petty things like bad drivers, office politics, and sloppy neighbors awaken such arrogant indignation in us?
This fall we are providing the men of Whitton Avenue with an opportunity to address such questions in our study of God’s word and the book “Humility: True Greatness” by C.J. Mahaney. This dual focus will take into account both what God says about humility in the Bible and how these teachings have been filtered into the real life of one brother in pursuit of true greatness. One reason I appreciate C.J.’s guidance is because of his full court press in addressing pride in our lives. He challenges men to do everything possible to pursue humility: from studying the doctrines of sin and grace to inviting and pursuing correction to, and I quote, “playing golf as much as possible.”
I am challenging all of our men to seriously consider investing 7 weeks in this pursuit. The greatness of our families, small groups, and church body depend on the greatness of their members, and in the Kingdom of God, this means growing downward into humility that we might experience more of God’s presence and empowerment.
As we did in the spring with Leading with Love, we will have two classes that meet-one on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 AM, the other on Saturday mornings at 7 AM.
The groups will begin the week of September 29th and will run through the second week of November. You can e-mail me to sign up for either group [chris@wabconline.org].
May God use this time of study and fellowship to sharpen us as men to be true leaders of greatness as we humbly serve one another in our families, church, and world.
Pastor Chris