“The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.” —2 Chronicles 2:5

“Be not afraid of greatness,” Shakespeare said. But honestly, whenever I hear some charismatic motivational speaker trying to convince me of how great I can be in this world, I can’t help but to identify with that T-shirt that said, “I’m pretty sure I seized the wrong day.” It just feels like… well, fluff.

I think my reticence with the imagery of greatness has a lot to do with the world’s misguided and self-serving paradigms about greatness. I remember how Jesus’ disciples had to be retrained in their understanding of what greatness truly looks like (Matthew 20:25-28). Yet the world’s skewed definitions of greatness should never cause us to shrink back from models of biblical greatness and spiritual excellence. What if “greatness” was more about the right kind of inputs rather than perceived outcomes—more about the excellence we give God in the process than the imagery of the end accomplishment?

Though Solomon knew that God could not be held in by space, and that even the highest heaven could never “contain” Him (1 Kings 8:27–30), he still purposed in his heart to build a magnificent temple where God’s name would be glorified and His eyes would be “open day and night toward this house”—a place where prayers would be heard and petitions would be answered from generation to generation (2 Chronicles 6:20).

Solomon knew that this undertaking would be huge. He wasted no time in declaring and reiterating that this house he envisioned building would be “great and wonderful” (verses 5 and 9). The literal meaning of Solomon’s declaration is this thing “must be great.” If God’s name is on it, it is worthy of excellence! Because he rightly viewed the magnificence of His God, he gave himself to due diligence in preparation and process.

What gave him such super confidence in the outcome of this undertaking before one stone of the foundation was ever laid? Did it come from his sense of competence, construction experience, personal abilities, or unique skill sets? Did it come from his trust in the character of the king of Tyre, from whom he requested skilled craftsmen and timber resources? I don’t think so. Solomon knew this thing would be great and wonderful because of the awesomeness of His God and the infinite supply of His provision. Therefore, as that confidence swelled from a sound theology of his all-sufficient Jehovah-Jireh, he had no problem with the “big ask.” He was all in.

What Solomon built materially was temporary. All of our material accomplishments have a short shelf life as it relates to eternity. The “greatness” in terms of his perceived outcomes was short-term, as the temple in all of its splendor only stood for about 400 years, and then it was destroyed. Yet his inputs—the intent and motivation of his heart to give God his best—have endured throughout generations.

Our inputs matter much more than our expected outcomes. I love how Colossians 3:23 reads in the Amplified Bible: “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.”

These kinds of daily inputs aren’t visible to the human eye. The outcomes won’t be measured by worldly perceptions of greatness, but this “unto the Lord” posture of the heart has the capacity to turn any ordinary effort into something of extraordinary fellowship with God. It can take those commonplace days of ours that are often strewn out with monotonous tasks and mundane responsibilities, and flip them into 24-hour compartments of “bigger-than-life” kingdom breakthroughs. More importantly, the God of heaven and earth is worthy of our best inputs!

“This thing must be great,” Solomon was convinced, because God is worthy of my effort and investment. Blaise Pascal said, “Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with your power, and little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name.” When our daily inputs are a fervent labor of love unto the Lord, everyone around us is better for it. Thus greatness becomes less about something we want to achieve and more about something we give ourselves to daily. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.

PRAYER

God, help us to have a right view of your awesomeness in our lives, to understand that you are far bigger than our problems, our fears, our worries, and our inadequacies. Holy Spirit, help us to get past our personal limitations. Teach us how to give ourselves to excellence and greatness in our daily lives, as inputs that are wholeheartedly unto the Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for personal reflection, small group discussion, or dinner table conversations:

1. In your mind, what makes a church attractive and worshipful?
2. What did Solomon plan to do in the temple to worship God? (2 Chronicles 2:4) Why did Solomon believe so strongly that a temple must be built? (vv. 4-6)
3. How did Solomon feel about his ability to build a temple that would be worthy of God? (vv. 5-6)
4. How did Solomon’s plans for the temple reflect his attitude toward God? How could you express Solomon’s style of worship and commitment to God without building a physical building?
5. What can you do this week to express your worship and thankfulness to God? Where might God flip your ordinary into something extraordinary due to a shift in your perspective or “unto the Lord” inputs?

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