My wife hit me last night and knocked me to the floor — while the children stood watching. I was already winded and sore, but I got back up. Both of us started swinging again. Our kids laughed loudly, clearly amused. Let me explain…
My daughter is an awesome young woman who like many has chosen to work while going to school. One of the joys of being a dad is to witness your children intentionally taking responsibility for their lives and thinking of others. After saving most of her paychecks, she took my advice and bought a very affordable yet generously equipped mobile phone. It was a clear upgrade but cost a fraction of the more trendy and well-promoted phone that she originally wanted. After that purchase, she still had enough money to buy a wii. That’s what brought my wife and me together to start swinging at each other.
The Nintendo wii has taken the home video game industry by storm. Forget a game controller where your fingers get all the exercise. With the wii your whole body gets a workout. You can simulate swinging a baseball bat or tennis racket, go bowling, try to get a hole in one or become the next great boxing champion all in one of the world’s most well known sports arenas — your living room. If you want to be great, you have to practice and practice until you reach “pro” status.
Our culture measures greatness in many ways. Follow Hollywood’s lead and you become great by making a show of giving away some of your wealth to the less fortunate. In the realm of professional sports the greatest hold their trophy high above everyone’s head after winning. We love those who triumph over adversity and beat the challenge or accomplish a personal goal. It’s all good. To look great, feel greater and be your greatest requires focus, motivation, commitment and vision.
Yet, the road to greatness can be tough. To be the next American Idol there is no room for error. To be the next world leader requires the ability to demonstrate unparalleled strength and wisdom. Do you look great and have a great career? Are you making greater advances in your relationships? Do you have the greatest relationship with God, exude your greatest influence on those around you and currently make the greatest amount of money that you ever have in your life? Do you have what it takes? The pressure we put on ourselves to be great can be tremendous. In comparison it makes a hard workout in the gym look rather easy.
Recently, I spoke with a woman by the name of Mary at my local gym. She was training hard to prepare herself to do rock climbing with a local Boy Scout troupe. She expressed some concern. She had never done anything like this before. I told her she would do great, “Bring back a few photos and remember those cuts and bruises are your trophies.” Back in the gym after her successful and rewarding climb she told me all about it. Her hard work had paid off. She had an incredible experience and got to be an important part in the lives of these young men. Then she pulled up her pant leg slightly and with a smile revealed a fresh cut.
The Christian faith gives us a wonderful context for greatness. It helps us understand our unyielding need to be greater than we were yesterday. Multi-platinum artist Joan Osbourne had a popular radio hit a few years ago titled, If God Was One Of Us. In it she laments, “What if God was one of us – Just a slob like one of us – If you were faced with him in all his glory – What would you ask…? – God is great – God is good – yeah, yeah, yeah”.
Well indeed God is great. Greater yet is the knowledge that He lives among us and gives us the ability to be our greatest. Do you really have what it takes? If you want to be great, be like Jesus. Be willing to take last place and be a servant to all. Remind yourself that it’s not about ME it’s about wii.
Train strong in Christ,
-Brad Bloom
