Greatness Redefined

We have been in Chiquimula, Guatemala for five days now, taking our short glimpse into the lives of Larry and Marla Johnson – the co-founders of Flames of Fire Ministry.  Every night, after our daily responsibilities and afternoon siestas wind down, the three of us make our way downstairs for nightly talks with this beautiful missionary couple.  The conversations have ranged everywhere from the laughs brought about at the expense of missionaries robbed by monkeys, to the tear-jerking memories of Marla and Larry’s early days on the mission field, when they would hear their nine year old daughter assure them, “It is okay mommy, I wasn’t very hungry today anyway,” when the poor family was stretching their money to make it through each new day. 

It is lives like these that inspire me to live for something greater than myself.  Stories of hardships taken on and overcome by those willing to believe that this good news is meant to be experienced by all!

I believe that everyone is called to greatness and it is something that is able to be pursued.  Many will frown on such words, assuming that greatness is a life consumed in self-love, fame and outward glory; but I reference something else entirely.  When Jesus’ disciples asked him about ‘greatness’, he did not rebuke them, but renewed their perspective and pointed them to a new road. 

I believe greatness can have many faces and be expressed in countless ways, but most commonly begins in a life that is willing to go low and slow, living for those that surround them and embracing a lifestyle of selfless love.  It has no need for fame, but in the sacrifices and patience that it displays, I would argue that such greatness deserves to be recognized and known more than any other.  Just as Jesus turned the world upside down by his affection, I believe we are all called to do the same.              

Marla and Larry have modeled this lifestyle masterfully.  From their first years on the mission field, they were unknown servants taking on the unimaginable hardships of language barriers, financial uncertainties and health struggles they found in Mexico – but now, nearly thirty years later, the fruit of their dedication is inspiring and offering hope to countless others in their pursuit of God and opportunities to share His love with the world. 

What began in secret, God has rewarded in the light:

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matt 6:2-4