Great

. . . whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.

 - From Matthew 20

We will never know the name of the greatest person in America. 

This person doesn't have a real job. He or she may not even own a home. He or she may be totally alone in the world.

This person does not draw attention to himself. He does not stand behind a lectern on a regular basis. She does not review the books and pronounce all the finances in order. He does not operate, skillfully, a large machine in a factory.

She does not rule over cases in a court of law. He is not a great recording artist. She is not a career teacher that has had only two pay increases in twenty-five years. 

She is not a professional athlete kneeling, or holding hot-button banners in front of international TV cameras. He is not a wealthy celebrity that contributes millions of dollars to the neighborhood and school of his youth. 

He is not the custodian in the elementary school, that all the kids love. She is not the legendary local band director that achieves excellent ratings at every festival. 

She may attend church regularly, but never gets asked to be the spokesperson for the latest campaign. Her name does not appear in the bulletin much, except for the roll of birthdays or special prayer requests. 

People talk about him behind his back. They thought they saw him touch a pre-teen girl in town, when in reality it was his troubled niece to whom he offered a hug. They do not believe she looks as though she has been very successful, therefore she does not have as much value as the people that do. 

He has buried troubles, and worries, and anxieties deep into his heart and conscience. Nobody knows what she has been through. Nobody asks. 

We do not know the identity of the greatest person in America. There are no spotlights on this person. 

So . . . perhaps we had just better assume that . . . maybe . . . everyone we come across is the greatest.