Recently, I did a short schoolwork assignment that is still changing me.

I had to write a list of ten people who I thought of as truly great and then answer a couple questions about each person. I completed this assignment within an hour or so, but somehow this simple survey still jars my paradigm. Why?

I included the document so that you can see my complete list if you’d like. But I will tell you what you need to know. My list was comprised of writers and musicians, politicians, and missionaries and theologians dedicated to God in word and deed.

It had to be a month ago when I did this project, but still, my mind goes to it in moments of despair. Whenever I find myself thinking that I’ll never be famous, or brilliant, or rich, or successful or so and so, then I think back to this list and mutter, “THIS is what it is to be great. The very people I believe to be great are those who have wholly given all their talent, money, and time to God.”

What the world defines as ‘great’ is just a Texas-sized lie, but so often, we fail to realize this! The world subtly admonishes us,

“You should get money for yourself.”

“You can find joy in possessions.”

“Being famous is the best.”

BUT those things aren’t true! The True Greatness List that I made helps me backtrack. Great people…

…Give everything to Him.

…Find ultimate joy in Him.

…are fools in the sight of men.

If you will write a True Greatness List, then your goals, your attitude, and, ultimately, your life will fall into perspective.

My assignment had a lot of questions that I don’t think everyone should have to answer, so I’ve modified the rules a little bit. First, write the person’s name, and then a simple answer to the question “Is this person great on a secular standard?” (Exclude Bible characters, because, as my teacher said, “we all agree that they’re pretty great.”)

When you are drifting through life, feeling useless, meaningless, and completely listless (pun very much so intended) then it’s time to get back in perspective with a True Greatness List. Write one today.

God bless.

Here is my list, which you can read if you would like.

Write a list of ten people, five living, five dead, who you consider great.

Identify the different characteristics that make him great in your eyes by answering the following questions about each one on your list.

What character qualities make him great?

What influence does he have on the world? On you?

How does he treat his fellow man?

What is his passion? Do you share that passion?

What is his commitment to his worldview?

And then compare the person’s greatness to a secular definition of greatness.

George MacDonald.

What character qualities made him great?

Skill.

What influence does he have on the world? On you?

He influenced the world through his books.

How does he treat his fellow man?

With respect.

What is his passion? Do you share that passion?

His passion was for God and for writing—and I share both.

What is his commitment to his worldview?

He was committed to telling of God through his writing.

On a secular standard, MacDonald wrote many works that sold well—and he made a lot of money, but undoubtedly used it for the wrong kinds of things.

George Washington.

What character qualities make him great?

He believed and trusted God throughout hardships. He processed amazing determination and skill.

What influence does he have on the world? On you?

As the president of the United States, he established many presidential traditions. He shaped our government, and ultimately, my life.

How did he treat his fellow man?

With love and respect.

What was his passion? Do you share that passion?

His passion was for the USA—and I do, somewhat.

What is his commitment to his worldview?

He was committed to God—praying especially during the winter in Valley Forge.

As the first president of the USA and also a successful army general, George Washington is great on a secular standard—but definitely not so impressive as he is on a Christian standard. The world values worldly things, and the things that Washington held in priority are out of place in the secular world.

Amy Carmichael.

What character qualities make her great?

Determination even in the face of very real danger.

What influence did she have on the world? On you?

Christians, decades and decades after her death still remember the force with which she pursued God and saved those stumbling to death. I’ve read so many times of her life and been encouraged.

How did she treat her neighbors?

She cared for the Hindus who called her ‘foreign devil’, expending her entire life to see them saved.

What was her passion? Do you share that passion?

Her passion for sharing God’s word. Yes.

What was her commitment to her worldview?

She fought through some of the hardest situations in the world to minister to those who needed her most. She was as committed as her eyes were brown (inside joke).

On a secular standard, most would acknowledge the work she did to provide a home for Indian children and praise her for it. But I think that her strength came from God—something that secularists won’t admit.

Jim Elliot.

What character qualities make him great?

The fear of God, selflessness, determination.

What influence does he have on the world? On you?

His death, and the death of the four others on Palm Beach with influence the world for ages. His testimony, and that of his wife, have touched the Christian and non-Christian world and shown what true commitment are.

How does he treat his fellow man?

With respect and love.

What is his passion? Do you share that passion?

His passion was for God. He desired to reach the world with the love of God. I share that passion.

What is his commitment to his worldview?

His commitment drove him to give everything.

On a secular standard, Jim Elliot was nothing but a fool. He gave his life up so that he could tell South American savages about his religion. But I think that Jim Elliot would protest. He wasn’t a fool. In fact, he said, ‘he is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Nabeel Qureshi

What character qualities made him great?

He was extremely smart, objective, and kind.

What influence did he have on the world? On you?

He debated Muslim scholars and wrote multiple books about apologetics—many of which have sold thousands of copies. I read his book and was challenged by it.

How did he treat his fellow man?

With respect.

What was his passion? Do you share that passion?

His passion was for the truth. He was a unique desire to overcome all boundaries made by humans and discover the truth.

What was his commitment to his worldview?

He was committed to God.

On a secular standard, Nabeel was a man who was extremely intelligent, but gave up his potential for God. His books perhaps have made Christian bookstores, but that is little recompense for everything he gave up.

John and Korey Cooper.

What character qualities make them great?

Determination. Skill. Dedication to God.

What influence do they have on the world? On you?

They have influenced the world through their music for years—even touching the secular world. They remind me that God is our strength (Psalms 18), and that I should never ever give up.  

How do they treat their fellow man?

With respect.

What is their passion? Do I share that passion?

Their passion is probably spreading God’s words and message through music and probably for creating music itself. I don’t share this passion, because I’ve never made music, but I do enjoy sharing their music with the world.

What is their commitment to their worldview?

Their commitment to God has held up through two decades that they have been producing music.

I think that God has blessed them in such a way that even secular people call them great. Like King David or King Solomon, whose greatness was recognized even by people of foreign nations, the Coopers are heralded great by even the secular world.

John Piper.

What character qualities make him great?

His desire for God. Gentleness. Humility.

What influence does he have on the world? On you?

He has influenced the Christian world for decades. He teaches even me, almost weekly through  podcasts and sermons.

How does he treat his fellow man?

With gentleness and love.

What is his passion? Do you share that passion?

His passion is for God and leading people closer to him.

What is his commitment to his worldview?

His commitment is to serve God and then serve people.

On a secular standard, John Piper has gained a lot and could gain a lot more, but he has given up his money and his fame and instead followed God. He’s a popular teacher, even the seculars can see, but in the end, he has gained nothing but fame from it.

Chris Tomlin.

What character qualities make him great?

Skill. Humility. Desire to praise God.

What influence does he have on the world? On you?

He has been writing worship songs for years, songs that are easily imitable. He’s given his talent back to the Lord by praising Him and pointing back to God.

How does he treat his fellow man?

He treats people with respect and love.

What is his passion? Do you share that passion?

His passion is to praise the Lord and yes.

What is his commitment to his worldview?

His commitment is to create music that praises God.

Again, even on a worldly standard, Chris Tomlin has clearly gained success and reputation through his skill. Many would probably think it odd that all he sings of is of God and praising Him—but for Tomlin, he’s gained so much more than just that.

Bruce Olson (Brucko)

What character qualities make him great?

Love for God. Bravery. Determination. Skill. Love for men.

What influence does he have on the world? On you?

God has used him to reach the Motolone people—which he wrote a book about—undoubtedly inspiring many young people like it did me.

How does he treat his fellow man?

He treats people with an overwhelming love for their souls.

What is his passion? Do you share that passion?

His passion is for God—and for language. I don’t share the second.

What is his commitment to his worldview?

He was so committed that he ventured into the jungle, where he could have died easily.

On a secular standard—Brucko threw his life away. He gave up what he had—a promising future as a professor of language, to gain what he couldn’t loose, an inheritance in heaven.