Redefining greatness

The recent death of Neil Armstrong, the first human to step on the moon, attracted significant eulogies, including one from Barack Obama who called him one of the “greatest American heroes – not just of his time, but of all time.” I wonder if Armstrong’s career as an aero engineer would have been found wanting had he not commanded the Apollo II Spacecraft. And how about the rest of the crew that made that space mission possible; are they on Obama’s list of America’s greatest heroes as well?

Neil Armstrong

No doubt, Armstrong was great. But generally, the world’s definition of greatness is twisted. Often, those that do not deserve are put on a pedestal because of the weight of their pockets or the prominence of their offices. So the pot-bellied minister notorious for elongating his arms into public coffers is given a special front seat in church or at the wedding party while the artiste that preaches violence in his lyrics and is a shameless dope head and philanderer is the “icon” mega companies fly into the country to entertain us, and the one newspapers laud on the front page!

Rarely is the spotlight on the hardworking person who embraces right and just; pays their taxes, is faithful to their spouses and brings up their children as responsible citizens. In my opinion, pure value is a major earmark to+ define greatness. If you give your enemy a glass of water because you genuinely do not want them to die of thirst, you have a great heart. This is what it means to do unto others as you would like them to do unto you, and it is the stuff greatness is made of.

Greatness is also in finding your life’s vocation and fulfilling it regardless of global cameras shifting on you or not. If you are called to become a night watchman and you perform diligently and passionately, you are great. Consider Jesus Christ who lived in obscurity for 30 years as a carpenter’s son, and throughout his ministry, never acquired a spanking convertible or a lakeside mansion. “In fact, He had nowhere to lay his head yet He’s not only the embodiment of matchless wealth, but is also the greatest man to ever live. Why? Because he was faithful to his calling even unto death!”

I end with Thomas Dreier: “To be popular at home is a great achievement. The man who is loved by the house cat, by the dog, by the neighbour’s children and by his own wife, is a great man, even if he has never had his name in ‘Who’s Who’”