“I’m gonna be a wheel someday, I’m gonna be somebody.”
So goes a lyric from one of my favorite 60’s artists, Fats Domino. Sadly, I think a lot of people share the same aspiration. They want to be a “big wheel.”
The world’s concept of a big wheel is someone who has made a name for themselves. People know who they are. They are celebrities. In the business world, big wheels run big corporations. Big wheels in the entertainment world win the awards and appear on TV and in magazines. In sports, big wheels make the big bucks. Everyone wants to buy the products they endorse
Yes, many people want to “be a wheel someday.” But most go about it the wrong way.
The Paradox of the Big Wheel
Jesus often used paradox to communicate the most important life truths. A paradox is a self-contradicting statement that at first seems impossible, but actually presents a deeper truth. Here are a few examples.
- To gain life we must be willing to lose life. (Matthew 16:25)
- The last will be first. (Matthew 19:30)
- The meek inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
- To receive we must first give away everything. (Luke 6:38)
John and James asked Jesus for the blessing of being big wheels in the kingdom that was to come. (Mark 10:35-45). Jesus responded with a paradox that explained what He considered true greatness.
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:42-45
Jesus’ Version of a Big Wheel
Let’s consider three attributes Jesus ascribes to greatness.
- A big wheel serves others.
One of the reasons many people want to be big wheels is they want others to do for them. However, Jesus declares that a big wheel is the one who gives service not the one who receives it.
If you want to be a big wheel in Jesus’ eyes, roll up your sleeves and go to work. Don’t wait for others to do it, get busy yourself. A big wheel in Jesus’ eyes does not view any task as beneath them.
- A big wheel is selfless.
Most big wheels seem to have the impression that all of life revolves around them. Their needs are first. They expect others to hear and heed their opinions above others. But the big wheel in Jesus’ model puts others first.
If you want to be great in Jesus’ eyes, stop insisting on your own way. Defer to others. Move to the back of the line. Let others go before you.
- A big wheel sacrifices themselves for others.
Jesus gave the best example when He left heaven’s glory, emptied Himself, and yielded to death all for us. (Philippians 2:5-11). In the world’s eyes, the big wheel rolls over any and everybody to get where it is going. But in Jesus’ eyes, the big wheel carries the burden of rolling others to where God wants them.
If you want to be a big wheel, stop rolling for yourself. Creatively find ways you can transport others closer to the Lord through your selfless acts of service.