Do you want to be great?

From a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr…. (click on link to hear him speak)

If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Amen) That’s a new definition of greatness.

And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, (Everybody) because everybody can serve. (Amen) You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. (All right) You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. (Amen) You only need a heart full of grace, (Yes, sir, Amen) a soul generated by love. (Yes) And you can be that servant.

“He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Jesus Christ

Be a porter not a doormat

Doormats come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Some are more durable than others. All are intended to welcome a visitor into the entrance of a dwelling. But woe is the fate of the entry mat, for visitors scuff their feet across its surface to wipe the dirt and scum away, or simply tromp right on over its top indifferent to its presence.

Have you ever felt used like a doormat? Instances like, people taking advantage of your generosity, extending a helping hand only to be slapped, working with a partner who turned against you, trusting someone’s goodwill only to learn the hard way they were motivated by self-interest and not concerned about your interests at all?

You might have some examples to share of your own…?

“Be wise as serpents,” Jesus admonished his disciples. Jesus was not naïve about the evil intent of the worldly minded. He told his followers to be stay alert, pay attention, be aware and diligent to not let the selfish thought take advantage of their desire to help. Do not cast your pearls before swine, he further instructed.

But he also taught us to be harmless as doves. Love, but don’t be used, I read into this guidance.

It is not true humility to let one be used by selfishness.

Humility is power, strength, authority and control. Humility is wise, discerning, alert, and acts ahead of evil. It does not cower, cave-in to wrong, or resign to loss. Humility does not play the role of victim, fear evil, or let wrong dominate.

Humility acts with Love and Principle. It is clear-minded, focused, convicted of right, unafraid to confront wrong, and stands with God. Humility is protection, power and strength. It is the weak human ego pushed aside and God in action through us.

We don’t have to let the intruders of self-interest, self-righteousness, indifference, anger, or jealousy stomp over top us and invade our mental house of purity and love. Rather than laying down for evil as a doormat, stand at attention like a porter. Keep your hand on the doorknob to your mental house and allow in only the visitors you wish to commune with. The unwanted trespassers can go elsewhere.