How do you measure greatness?

How do you measure greatness?

How do you decide when a man or woman deserves that accolade?

Do they have to be the fastest? The strongest? The richest? The most talented? The most powerful? Do they have to have the most influence, or get the most votes?

How do we measure greatness?

I’ve been reflecting on this as I ponder the death of my Grandpa Ed. Ed was not great as the world reckons greatness, but he was a great man.

Ed was born far from the corridors of power and lived his entire life outside the spotlight. It is not that there were no accomplishments or moments of glory. He started with very little and ended up with more than most. Along the way there were numerous awards and achievements. But it seems to me that greatness should be measured across the span of one’s life, rather than viewing a life through the narrow lens of a single event or accomplishment.

I call him a great man because of the innumerable small choices he made every day, because the sum total of those choices amounted to a life well lived and an incredible legacy, worthy of emulation.

Through these small choices, he lived a quiet life, minding his own business, working with his hands and living a daily life that was worthy of respect, not being dependent on anyone. (1 Thes. 4:9-12) It is said that your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness. This was true of Ed’s desire for independence.

His tough early years produced toughness in Ed. He did not like to be dependent on anyone, which served him well in most aspects of his life. The area where it may have hindered him most was in his relationship with God.

But eventually, Ed grew to recognize that dependence on God was not a risk, but a joy. It wasn’t until 1997 that he fully gave himself to Jesus, and was baptized at the age of 76. Even at that late stage, the change of heart was evident to those who knew him well, as greater gentleness and kindness were added to his character.

As I view his life, I see a man who lived well...who loved well. He loved his wife with passion and faithfulness for 71 years, a feat few accomplish. He provided for his family. He was generous and humble. He played the hand dealt him, without complaining; making the best life he could out of the circumstances thrust upon him.

Ed played his small role in the grand story. His role was not huge, but he played it to the hilt. He did what God required of Him. He ran the race with endurance and has finished well. He is now safely home, free and whole in body, mind, and heart.

He leaves behind him a legacy of love. The world is a better place because Ed was in it. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and more. He was not a perfect man, but he was a good man. He won’t make it into the history books, but that does not mean that he was not great.

Few who truly shape history are listed in the books. The generals are listed, but the foot soldiers do the real fighting. Ed was one of the great foot soldiers of history; a truly great man who achieved innumerable small victories in the larger battle. Let those who come after him note his life and passing. May we, who are his legacy, follow his example.