Let’s talk about Saturday night. It was painful to watch our Redskins lose to the Seahawks, but it was a ton of fun to be together.

First, we decided together that Clinton Portis and Sean Taylor are the best offensive and defensive players the Redskins have. Then we asked the question: What does God think about what happens on the field? We looked at two stories from the gospel of Mark: 9:33-35 and 10:35-45:

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” … 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.”

Here, Jesus is redefining true greatness: not as physical ability, not having “skills,” not elite performance in a highly publicized playoff game. Jesus is saying that true greatness is found in serving others. Talent is no substitute for humility.

True greatness is all around you, although not normally found on the ball field. The first place to look is to your parents: they have served you and are serving you more than you know. Thank them today for the example of true greatness they have provided for you.

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