By Revd Preb Julian Ould
The world is full of “greats,” but by and large we mistake them for “not so greats.”
We follow trends, be it in clothes, music or films, and collectively elevate individuals to pedestals. For some, the meeting of a great fashion designer or the wearing of clothes that carry a certain label becomes important, so much so in fact that I used to wonder why the label wasn’t on the outside. Now, well, you can actually buy products – not just within sportswear, as has always been done, but in all manner of designer clothing where the manufacturer’s label is blazoned across it in bold lettering and seems to be so important. It took me ages to identify why people kept walking around with BENCH written on them!
And then when we turn to people, there was a time when the Spice Girls seemed to be treated almost like gods. Standing alongside King Charles (when he was Prince Charles) and Nelson Mandela, who stood as the figurehead who had overthrown the evils of apartheid within South Africa, there they were, boldly proclaiming their stand for “Girl power.” As far as I could see, this put the equality of the sexes back years but was nevertheless proclaimed as though they had achieved something of significance.
And in like fashion with film, first Piers Brosnan was seen as flavour of the month as the ever-popular James Bond, but was then replaced by the equally idolised Daniel Craig. And so I could go on, for the world is full of such greats, and yet are they?
While a name that may not be familiar to you, Peter Glossop, around the same time as the Spice Girls, was a world-famous baritone singer. He had made his name in the opera world as a soloist performer and was acclaimed the world over, and therefore when my parents discovered that he was moving to live next door, this became quite a topic for conversation.
Because of his fame, he wasn’t at home very much, busy travelling the world, but nevertheless we did get to know him and we became quite friendly. So much so, when my parents organised a party for some particular event, I cannot remember which, Peter and his wife were invited along. Peter was seated next to another friend of my parents who had idolised him for years and was therefore very excited.
The evening progressed, and Peter behaved as he usually did, and indeed we had become used to. He nearly always drank too much, became very loud, and, as a Yorkshire man, carried the stereotyped bluntness in what he said. He was very self-assured and full of his own importance. By the end of the evening, the lady in question thanked my parents but confessed that the evening had been ruined for her by, as she put it, “the rudest and most arrogant man that she had ever met,” – her idolised image being completely shattered.
Now the reason for telling you this story is that while this lady had been right about Peter Glossop’s singing capability, she had put him on a pedestal assuming that he was wonderful in every aspect, without knowing anything about him at all. Solely because he could sing, he was seen as great, and yet we knew that he was nothing more than an ordinary man, with faults like the rest of us. In fact, he was a complete rogue, but thankfully a loveable one.
And of course, the Spice Girls, who are almost forgotten now, are all extremely ordinary people, along with film stars and many, many of the so-called greats. And to return to the clothes, well, at the end of the day they are really just functional coverings aren’t they, with or without the word BENCH!
So what is it that makes a great? Well, greatness actually comes in many forms, and in some aspects of all the people and situations I have mentioned, there is greatness. To be a popular singer, be it modern or classical, has a greatness within it. To be a character like Nelson Mandela has a greatness, within his courage and conviction, and yet he would be the first to admit that this didn’t necessarily put him above all others. And the stumbling block where most fall short of understanding is that true greatness is not necessarily measured by popularity or notoriety.
True greatness is actually about acknowledging the gifts that we have as individuals, of using them and living our lives to the full, within the world that we are part of. True greatness is to be found within our endeavours to play a part, however small, in building a world of peace and happiness. And true greatness is at its strongest within the ordinary of life, for what could be greater than living an ordinary, happy life, taking care to meet our responsibilities and play our part within the community in which we live?
This is basically what Jesus taught us and is why He was so misunderstood as the promised Messiah. Yet His way was the path of true greatness and is accessible to us all, if only we would respond. It doesn’t require us to be pious and holier than thou, just ordinarily learn to love as Jesus has loved us.
So let us make a difference and be great ourselves.