The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace

by Erwin Raphael McManus

No one had ever called their leaders to serve. All of the disciples saw the greatness in Jesus and assumed that his posture of servanthood was a short-term strategy. Yet this call to servanthood is not for everyone. It’s actually very specific: it’s a callout to whoever wants to become great. The call to servanthood finds its power only when it is received by those who are on the pursuit of greatness. It is not wrong to aspire to greatness. The warning here is to be careful to never confuse fame with greatness. Otherwise, you may be aspiring to what is not really greatness at all. Fame is what you do for yourself; greatness is what you do for others. Jesus has unveiled to us how greatness is achieved in his kingdom. To be great, you must serve. So don’t give up on your ambition to be great; instead, change your definition of what it means to be great and how greatness is achieved. Most important, though, we need to change the why behind our drive. The question is not whether we should be competitive; the question is not whether we should pursue excellence; the question is not whether we should pursue greatness. The question is why we are pursuing it. Paul told us, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”35 If you are to do all things for the glory of God, then there is nothing you should do where you are not aspiring to do your best, be your best, and, yes, even be the best. It is in service that your greatness will be found. Jesus pre...