What makes a great person "great"?

How do you decide who a "great person" is? Maybe you should think of it this way...think of a great person in your view, and then think of what they did to "earn" that spot in your mind. In my mind the people that I think of who are "great" have become great by the things that they have accomplished, or more specifically a hurdle that they have overcome. Maybe that person is a parent, grandparent, or other family member who has done a fantastic job of investing themselves in you. Maybe that person is a church leader that weathered a storm in their life or a public leader that overcame great hurdles to lead people to a better day.

I was reading another blog today on my day off, and I read about someone I have admired for many reasons from my teenage years. He just let some of his friends know that he has finally overcome a 20 year addiction to pornography. I didn't know what to think because of course I had no idea that was going on in his life. For whatever reason, I didn't think less of him but I admired his courage to face his struggle...which I guess is the way it should be. I'm not saying that we should all run out and get an addiction so that we can overcome it. I guess I have seen too many men give up the fight and fall to their temptation and ruin the lives of so many loved ones around them. The worst part about it is they make excuses along the way as their family members suffer the consequences.

If you want to know what I think about how we should handle them as a church, then read my previous blog "...the only choice they have is their bullets or ours." Without a doubt we should love them and support them. The guy who was writing about it had been in an accountability group with this man for 10 years. Did he have any idea? Did this guy have a "safe place" where he could let his struggle be known without fearing rejection? Do you have people in your life you could share struggles with and know that they will still accept you and support you?

Today, may we have the courage to face the hurdles that come our way and look to help others around us. Don't think that the obstacle you face-- addictions or opportunities-- are what are keeping you from being a great person for God. They are the things that are making you "great."