The Secret to Greatness

Devotion provided by Mike Vandervelde, Referee-Big 12

What is Greatness? Everyone of us are striving to be “great” on the football field.  As officials, we are on the field and on the court surrounded by greatness, or at least a perceived sense of greatness. Along with that, our crews are working hard to be the greatest crew. Let’s look closer at defining and understanding greatness.

Who is the greatest of all time (the GOAT) in basketball? Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, or Lebron James? Why are these 3 players in discussion for being the greatest basketball players ever? What do we measure these players by?  Most people would specifically look at the numbers/statistics. We look at individual statistics, analyze how many wins and championships, and compare the eras in which they played. At the end of the debate, we would never come to a conclusion or an exact final answer.

Which team in college football is the greatest team of all-time?  Over the summer, I followed on “X” the voted-on bracket of the greatest teams ever.  I pose the question again--what makes someone or a team great?  According to the dictionary, greatness means the quality or state of being important, notable, or distinguished.  In the world we live, a person, a team, a business works hard to receive that perceived level of notability; however, God looks at greatness in a totally different perspective.

Matthew 20:26 gives us a very clear picture of what God wants us to do for us to be great.  In this verse, Jesus said, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Jesus is talking to the mother of Zebedee’s sons.  All she wanted was for her sons to be great. If they could sit next to Jesus, in her mind she believed that they would be looked at and seen in a position of greatness. 

Philippians 2:4 – not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

Read John 13: 1-17 – What does Jesus teach us about what it means to be great when he washed His disciples feet? 

Jesus lead by example. He showed that the secret to greatness really comes down to serving others.  Jesus served.  To be great we need to have a heart to serve and serve often. As officials, how do we serve? 

·         Make sure crew mates have the necessary transportation

·         Clean conference room, hotel room and locker room before leaving

·         Be courteous to hotel staff, airline crews, school administrators

·         Be mentally and physically prepared for the game

Those are just a few examples.  Think and discuss some practical ways to serve while we are on the road throughout the season.

Let’s be great in God’s eyes.