Peggy Noonan writes beautifully about Ashley Smith and Brian Nichols today in the Wall Street Journal. Most beautifully because she lets Ashley Smith tell the story. We discussed this at my church last night, with the hushed tones of people who have beheld something truly marvelous. Noonan writes, “You know she told the truth. It’s funny how we all know this.” Oh yes, we know. That is our God. We recognize His work.

One part I would like to add. This is from Smith’s testimony:

… We went to my room. And I asked him if I could read.

He said, “What do you want to read?”

Well, I have a book in my room.” So I went and got it. I got my Bible. And I got a book called “The Purpose-Driven Life.” I turned it to the chapter that I was on that day. It was Chapter 33. And I started to read the first paragraph of it. After I read it, he said, “Stop, will you read it again? …

Here are the opening lines to Chapter 33 of The Purpose-Driven Life:

“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.” Mark 10:43 (Msg)
“You can tell what they are by what they do.” Matthew 7:16 (CEV)

We serve God by serving others.

The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you’ve arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept.

Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. This is so contrary to the world’s idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it. …