To Be Truly Great
‘It is true greatness to have in one the frailty of a man and the security of a God.’ Seneca
So in Seneca’s view there are two poignant points that equate to true greatness. So let’s look at them more closely.
1. The Frailty Of A Man
The longer I live the more I realize how fragile the human life really is. We can never tell when our time is up, or the number of years we have here on planet earth. When compared to the powers of nature’s force – such as wind, earthquake, rain, snow, or fire we are so puny, so insignificant in power to combat whatever mother earth decides to present to us.
For all man’s advancements in knowledge and technology we still reside within the mercies of the elements. We are but ants in an expansive planet that sits within the vastness of a far greater universe. Specks we are. Twinkling stars in a spatial arena that is beyond explanation. Our greatest strengths exhibited do not even register on the scale of weakness when compared to the rest of creation.
2. The Security Of A God
The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest apostles who ever lived, wrote that God said to him that God’s ‘strength comes into its own in your weaknesses’.
And then he went on to write, ‘Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size – abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get the stronger I become.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10(The Message)
That speaks of an incredible security. A security in a God who cares for you, enables you and equips you. As someone once said, ‘God and you are a majority.’ My weakness with His strength is enough to carry me through and over all that I face. Now that is security.
This is the testimony of my life upon planet earth to date – for without such security my frailty would have led to my demise time and time again. And yet because of my personal relationship with this God of the Bible I watch my life continue to grow from strength to strength.
For in that quietness and confidence is my strength.
