"The cost of true greatness is humble, selfless, sacrificial service.  The Christian who desires to be great and first in the kingdom is the one who is willing to serve in the hard place, the uncomfortable place, the lonely place, the demanding place, the place where he is not appreciated and may even be persecuted.  Knowing that time is short and eternity is long, he is willing to spend and be spent.  He is willing for to work for excellence without becoming proud, to withstand criticism without becoming bitter, to be misjudged without becoming defensive, and to withstand suffering without succumbing to self-pity"

-- John McArthur