Good, the friend of 'great'

“Greatness isn’t a decision. Greatness comes as a result of making good decisions or producing good results over time.” – Justin Lathrop

You may or may not have heard the well-known quote from Jim Collins, “Good is the enemy of great.”

Although I get the point that Jim is bringing to our attention, I want to explore it a little deeper. When we go after good things in pursuit of great things, we set ourselves up to be disappointed. You can’t get to great without first being good. You no doubt can’t jump over or pass up important steps along the way.

Greatness is a process that is ongoing and absolutely is a goal that each of us needs to pursue. If we are persuaded that failure leads to success, then we must consider that good will eventually lead to great if it is habitual and in our focus.

If the building and making of GREAT is a series of practicing GOOD habits and routines, then it should be the pattern we seek to make it happen. Captain Picard/Star Trek says, “Make it so.”

I don’t accept the thought that only great people can do great things. Many people you will never hear about on the news, read about them in the newspaper or see articles written about them in major publications, do great things all the time. It is part of their lifestyle or DNA if you will.

Listen very carefully to what you are reading in this next sentence. Good is only the enemy of great when we settle for less than our full potential. If we have the prospects to be great, and I do believe we do, then we must live up to our capacity by doing it. I personally do not want to be good enough, but be actively in the pursuit of being great. Doing good was and is in the heart of those who want to be great.

There were great people listed in the Bible who became heroes of the faith. The “GREAT ONES” if you will. David grew up dong good things and became a great king. From a shepherd boy on his father’s ranch to a king greatly revered and honored. Esther, a peasant girl to a queen, who saved her people by doing good. We acknowledge her today as a woman of courage and bravery. The Bible tells us not to become weary in doing good for the value of it will come back to bless us. Jesus said, if you want to be great, be a servant. Just how great do you want to be?

If I had waited until my ideas were great, I would never have began the quest. Again, the Bible gives us hope in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I believe over the years God has blessed me and I have seen great things in my life and ministry for His Kingdom. So allow me to challenge you to reach for the gold in your life. Making good decisions and results prepare us for great things and results?

Mark Batterson states that, “The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.” After all, isn’t goodness or the act of doing good a fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians?

Greatness is something all of us should desire as we wish to do great things for His Kingdom.

Jim Gerhold

Christian Life Center