We all want to be great.  We all want to be significant.   The society has many standards of measuring greatness.  These could be achievements, leadership, scientific discoveries, amassing wealth and power, athletic prowess, literary and artistic skills. 
 God's standard of measuring greatness is different.  It is based upon how well we understand and live out our eternal purpose in this world.
 First measure of greatness is a life of single-minded conviction of faith in God.  Jesus asked the crowd,'What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?  A reed shaken by the wind?'  A reed is light and flexible.  It sways back and forth flowing with the direction of the wind.  Jesus was asking if the man they saw preaching and baptizing was uncertain or vacillating in his message or lifestyle.  While the religious leaders were hiding their self-interests behind the guise of living for God, John the Baptist stood up to the them called them for what they were, a brood of vipers. John was not a reed shaken by the wind.  Rather he was a man of conviction, a conviction of faith.  James 1:8 says that a double minded person is unstable in all his ways because he is tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.  Do you have a strong conviction of what you are living for? 
 Second measure of greatness is a life of self-discipline.  Jesus asked the crowd, ¡°What did you go out to see?  A man dressed in soft clothing?  Jesus implied that a man dressed in soft clothing is one who is self-indulgent, who does not deny himself anything.  John the Baptist was the exact opposite.  His personal needs, interests, and comforts were second in priority to his devotion to God.  This is because John the Baptist knew what kind of person he needed to be to serve God.  Take a moment right now and examine your hearts.  Is the disposition of your heart on becoming better off in life or on becoming a better person? 
 Third measure of greatness is a life of purpose and identity.  Jesus asked the crowd, ¡°Why did you go out?  To see a prophet?  John the Baptist was more than a prophet.  He was a special messenger of God sent to prepare the way for Christ.  John 1:19 says that some people came to John and asked, ¡°who are you?¡±  He answered, ¡°I am not the Christ; I am not Elijah; I am not a prophet; I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'make straight the way of the Lord'¡±  John the Baptist knew exactly what his purpose in life was.  He knew for whom he was living for.  Do you know your identity and purpose in life?  It is to serve our make, our savior, and our eternal father in heaven.  Knowing the eternal purpose for my life is another measure of greatness. 
 God's measure of greatness is different than the world's measure of greatness.  Living with conviction of faith that will not sway like a reed shaken by the wind is a measure of greatness in God's eyes.  Living with character that desires to become a better person in the image of Christ is a measure of greatness in God's eyes.  Living with eternal purpose in mind is a measure of greatness in God's eyes.  How do you measure up?