Operating in your purpose can you lead you to greatness. But greatness needs to be defined. Great can be used as an adjective, adverb, or noun. As an adjective, the following definitions are used: [1]
- Notably large in size.
- Elaborate.
- Predominant.
- Remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness.
- Eminent, distinguished.
- Aristocratic, grand.
- Chief or preeminent over others.
- Markedly superior in character or quality.
- Remarkably skilled.
Which one of these definitions tickles your fancy? The truth is that many of us may never get a write-up in the news or have thousands of followers on social media for what we do in our lives with respect to our purpose. That is okay.
Jesus defines what great looks like, “…The greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26, NASB). Your level of greatness is determined by the magnitude or size of your service! So how does being great connect with your purpose?
Your Purpose Can Lead to Greatness
Professor and author, William Damon wrote the following that captures what noble purpose looks like:
“Noble” does not always mean “heroic,” if we take “heroic” to mean pursuing daring, life-endangering adventures, like the mythical knights who fought dragons in days of yore. Noble purpose can mean this, and our history books are full of dramatic accounts of courageous acts that saved the day. But noble purpose also may be found in the day-to-day fabric of ordinary existence. A mother caring for her child, a teacher instructing students, a doctor healing patients, a citizen campaigning for a candidate for the sake of improving society – all are pursuing noble purposes. So, too, are the legions of people who dedicate time, care, effort, and worldly goods to charity, to their friends and family, to their communities, and to God. [2]
Be Clear on Your Contribution & Assess Your Impact
Simon Sinek shares that your purpose is comprised of the contribution you make in the lives of others and the impact of your contribution.[3] If you are unclear about your contribution i.e., the need you are passionate about and equipped to meet, the problem you are called to solve, or the people you are called to serve, then you will struggle to assess your impact. But you don’t have to live there. Our course, Uncluttered: How to Discover Your Purpose Through Your Life Story will help you get clear.
If the secret to greatness is connected to your service, then let us revisit the definition of greatness from this angle:
Your Greatness is the depth of your service and your contribution to meet a need, solve a problem, or positively change an outcome that people can benefit from through your remarkable gifts, abilities, and skill that are fueled by your passion for impact that is ignited by your purpose.
So, with this definition in mind, are you pursuing your great?
[1] Great. (n.d.). The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary. Retrieved March 20, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great
[2] Damon, W. (2003). Noble Purpose: The Joy of Living a Meaningful Life. Templeton Foundation Press.
[3] Sinek, S., Mead, D., & Docker, P. (2017). Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team (Illustrated ed.). Portfolio.