Nurturing the seed of greatness – Part 2

Those who possess a natural ability and improve on it have an advantage over their peers, and are unconsciously on their path to greatness. Winston Churchill was one of the greatest wartime leaders, who achieved greatness during his lifetime. Greatness is a definite and identifiable quality.

The desire to be great in life must start with a vision, which is one thing, while ambition is another thing. One comes before another. The ambition to be great must not be inordinate; it must not seek to undercut others by all means. The vision to excel and succeed in one’s calling is the first step on the ladder to greatness.

The seed of greatness lies in our talents and giftings. Talents are inborn in us, while gifts are divinely bestowed. We must not hide our talents as the servant did in Matthew 25 and Luke 19. Proverbs 18:16 reads, “A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.”

God didn’t ask Moses to build the Tabernacle alone, but to motivate others to do it. Once the Tabernacle was built, its physical care required a long list of important tasks (40:17-33). Bezalel and Oholiab, men with artistic skills, lent their expertise in cutting jewels, carving wood, and other areas (36:1-2). Moses laid out the steps, while Ithamar served as scribe for the project. Every one of God’s people has been given special talents and gifts. We are responsible for developing these abilities and using them for God’s glory.

Wisdom is a principal thing. The seed of greatness lies in having wisdom. In 1 Chronicle 29:25, we read, “So the Lord exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.” Solomon was made great by God, by giving him wisdom (1 Kings 3:12-14). Those with wisdom solve the problems of life. And through that process, they become great.

Greatness lies in diligence in whatever you do. ‘The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied’ (Prov. 13 v.4). Work is a blessing. Success can be hard work. It requires diligent perseverance. Winston Churchill said, ‘Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.’ Hard work leads to greatness. I have never seen a great man who did not work hard.

Greatness lies in hard work and industry. Isaac worked hard to dig wells and each time he found water. The Philistines testified that he was mightier than them (Gen.26: 16). No man becomes great without working hard for it. “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.” (Proverbs 12:11 NKJV).

“The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labour.” (Proverbs 12:24 NKJV)

“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” (Proverbs 13: 4 NKJV).

“In all labour there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.”
(Proverbs 14:23 NKJV).

Greatness is nurtured in patience and self-control. “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.” (Proverbs 21:17 NKJV)

“The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.”
(Proverbs 22:7 NKJV)

Most great men show integrity. Bob Marley is credited to have said, “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” 
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