Greatness and Popularity

"Human society generally has fallen into the error of assuming that greatness and fame are synonymous." A. W. Tozer

Have you ever noticed the proliferation of magazines that are completely devoted to the lives of "famous" people. It is staggering and also quite ridiculous. It seems we have some sick interest in the lives of people that we consider famous or great. The fact that someone is a good actor, physically attractive, or good at a sport somehow has elevated them to the status of greatness in the eyes of many in our western culture. I wonder how many famous people are truly great human beings. I am not asking are they good people or nice people, but asking are they truly great.

I would be willing to bet that the greatest people on this planet are the ones that nobody has ever heard of. Greatness is not defined by popularity or fame, it is defined by character, integrity, and courage.

I fear that this mindset of confusing greatness and popularity has also rooted itself into the minds of many in western Christianity. Many Christians think that because a pastor, speaker, or author is famous that they must be great and what they are saying must be golden. We, in the church, must also be careful to not confuse greatness and popularity. Don't be suckered in by glamour, glitz, and fame. Watch people's lives closely and you will notice the truly great individuals. True greatness will shine through in people's daily choices and routine.

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12:24-25