Rev. Dan Safarik: The question of greatness

I recall a "Peanuts" cartoon strip with Linus and Lucy. Linus is holding something as he says to Lucy, "This is a simple garden hoe. I've seen the pictures. All the greatest people in the world began with a hoe! I am on the road to greatness!"

That is a very interesting comment on greatness. I am sure there is some truth to what Linus said. In fact, it is a little like what Jesus said. He was asked on several occasions who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1) One time Jesus answered by saying the greatest in the kingdom are the ones who serve others. Hoeing a garden is definitely a service to others and a lot of hard work. Not the glamorous movie star kinds of jobs some would associate with greatness.

Another time when Jesus was asked who is the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus said, "Whoever becomes humble like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4) Greatness is humility. It has to do with trust and dependency. A child is like that, many of us are not.

There was a prominent corporate executive who needed to check into a hospital for a battery of tests. All through the admissions procedure, he was barking orders to every person in the office. Periodically, he would pull out his cell phone and call into his office, barking some kind of orders to his staff. Finally, he reached the desk of the woman who was to give him his final assignment and send him to his room.

She swiftly snapped the small plastic ID bracelet to his wrist.

"What is this for?" snapped Mr. Big.

Choosing her words carefully, she calmly replied, "This sir, is so we don't give you to the wrong mommy when it is time for you to go home!"

Trust and dependency is the secret of childlike living. When that is our relationship with God, it is the most healthy, refreshing way to live. Along with childlike trust, I think the meaning of greatness is strongly connected with knowing how to play.

Another "Peanuts" cartoon features Snoopy and Lucy. Snoopy is dancing and rejoicing. Lucy comes by to ask, "How can you be so happy when the world is such a mess? Don't you know what life has in store for you? Don't you know how bad things really are?"

In the next frame, Snoopy is still, his eyes saddened, and his chin is on his chest. Lucy is saying, "There, that is better. Live in dread. Be sensible!" In the last frame, Snoopy is back to dancing and laughing as only puppies and children know how.

True greatness is several things we probably didn't expect -- being like a child in trust, humility and the ability to play.



Prayer:  Our Lord, keep us from adult pride which gets in the way of childlike trust.  Amen.

The Rev. Dan Safarik serves St. Luke United Methodist Church in Lincoln. E-mail him at stluke@inebraska.com.