Reflecting Upon that Which Resonated

You know what they say, “You teach that which you most need to learn.” I must need to learn anew—because I thought this topic worthy of sharing once again.

This past year, the word Magnanimity resonated. I am awestruck at the magnificence of this concept and thus, I wish to reflect upon it once again. Not only is this word magnificent, but it magnifies other words such as magistrate, magnanimous, magna and on one could go. I suppose it’s like looking through a magnifying glass to see close up that which is within.

I snatched these thoughts from Liz Kelly, an author and speaker, who linked it closely to the virtue of humility. In her talk, she said that magnanimity is the awareness of our nobility as children of the Father. Our desire-to-desire great things is directly related to the fact that He in us is great. In other words, true greatness will direct all glory back to the Father—reflecting Him, not us.

Humility is closely linked to this as it all boils down to properly placing myself in my littleness into the company of His greatness. Humility is knowing who God is. He is God, and I am not.

Magnanimity has its root in the understanding that we have been ennobled by God. We can recognize our littleness and our potential for God given greatness in the same breath.

The world is quick to sell ideas about what greatness is. When we feed into what the world’s definition of greatness is, we end up shunning our true nobility. True nobility enables us to know we can be unafraid of our littleness knowing God’s greatness. Because of His greatness, we can seek out God’s desires. This allows us to become all He has created us to be while giving back to Him any and all greatness pouring out of us.

“It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Magnanimity gives us permission to not only desire great things as He works within, but to be the best God created us to be.

There is greatness in the filling of salt shakers as the salt pours out upon the multitudes. There is greatness in the changing of a diaper as spoken of by Douglas McKelvey in his book, “Every Moment Holy.” There is greatness in the teaching of a child. There is greatness in living humbly with our God. There is greatness in offering the two pence we may have in our pocket. There is greatness in the holding of a hand as someone passes from this side of the veil to the next. There is greatness in handling with humility that which the world calls great.

And how will we know we are walking humbly while desiring His greatness to shine? We will know it not only with a “peace which passes all understanding” as spoken of in Phil. 4:7, but there will be a joy filled countenance as He is magnified.

As we grow in the virtue of magnanimity, may He be the One magnified.  Amen.