There’s a recently coined term for those who have achieved the pinnacle of success. They are called the GOAT, which has no relationship to the four-legged animals called goats. I was a bit confused the first few times I heard it or read it. In my younger days, you were either the hero or the goat. And being the goat was terrible. It’s all confusing until you realize that GOAT is an acronym for the Greatest Of All Time.
GOAT is usually applied to professional sports, with many arguments for who is the real GOAT. The assignment of rankings is a very human thing to do. We regularly determine rankings of greatness in everything. We even rank churches, ministries, and church leaders based on their success. But what did Jesus say about it?
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a small child and had him stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1–4, CSB)
Ouch. Jesus instantly deflates all of our personal pride of achievement. He skewers our view of titles and offices like apostle, bishop, and reverend. He tears down the pedestals that we use to elevate some, or they used to elevate themselves. Jesus instead calls us to enter the kingdom as a child without authority, power, prestige, name, or reputation.
The attitude we are to glean from this is two-fold. We must be careful to avoid putting folks or organizations on pedestals. The only one we are to lift up is Jesus Christ. Secondly, we must be careful not to rank ourselves in comparison with others. You are not more or less saved than me. Nor are you more or less loved by God than anyone else. Our attitude is to be one of humble, child-like submission to Christ.
Yes, some will serve Christ through roles of ministry and leadership. And we may recognize those roles through titles. But your leader is just a person, another lamb of God that hopefully and prayerfully serves Christ by serving you in all humility. But they are also just a person with their own hurts, hopes, and needs.
There are no GOATs in the kingdom of God. They are men and women that serve Christ in the way Christ leads them. Just as rewarded are the secret prayer warriors, the quiet servants bringing meals to the needy, the nursery workers watching the children so the parents may worship, and many others.
Do you want to be great in the Kingdom of God? Humble yourself like a child.
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