Seeking Goodness Over Greatness
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8
In our current climate, the phrase "Make America Great Again" echoes through political discourse, suggesting a divine mandate for national supremacy. But does God truly desire for any nation to be "great" in the sense of power and dominance?1 When we look at the teachings of our faith traditions—it's clear that God doesn't call us to greatness in the way the world defines it. God calls us to goodness. There’s a world of difference between the two.
Greatness, as it's often framed, is about power, dominance, and being first. It’s about winning at all costs, securing our own comfort, and pushing others aside to get ahead. Goodness, on the other hand, is about relationship, justice, and compassion. It’s about lifting others up, sharing what we have, and walking humbly, knowing we’re all in this together.
Desmond Tutu once said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” That’s the heart of what it means to seek goodness over greatness. It’s not about flashy achievements or national pride; it’s about the quiet, consistent work of kindness, fairness, and love.
When we mistake power for purpose, we risk losing the very soul of our communities. The prophets of old warned against this kind of false security. They spoke out when leaders used religion to justify oppression or nationalism. And Jesus himself never sought political dominance. He chose the path of humility, service, and solidarity with the vulnerable.
So, what does this mean for us today? It means questioning narratives that equate God's blessing with worldly success. It means resisting the temptation to see "winning" as the ultimate goal. It means centering our lives around values that hold up, even when the spotlight isn’t shining: honesty, empathy, generosity, and care for the common good.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Where in my life have I been tempted to prioritize "greatness" over goodness?
How can I practice humility and compassion in my daily interactions?
Who in my community is most vulnerable right now, and how might I show up for them?
A Prayer for the Day
Rooted in Goodness
Loving God,
Ground us not in the pursuit of power,
But in the quiet strength of goodness.
Help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly—
To choose compassion over competition,
And love over the need to be right.
May our lives reflect the light of Your goodness
In a world too often obsessed with greatness.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Acts of Quiet Goodness
Practice what Desmond Tutu called "little bits of good." Choose one intentional act of goodness each day: checking in on a neighbor, giving someone the benefit of the doubt, donating to a cause that uplifts the marginalized, or even just pausing to listen—really listen—to someone who needs to be heard.
Keep a simple journal of these moments, not to boast but to remind yourself of the impact small, loving actions can have. As you do, reflect on how these quiet choices shape not just the world around you, but your own heart.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
March 4, 11, 18, 25 2025, 7-8:30pm - Dr. Matthew Fox and I are scheming a Lenten series that we are calling “From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA.” Modern mystic, Mirabai Starr, will be our guest on March 4! Andrew Harvey on March 11! The amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder on March 18! Father Adam Bucko on March 25! REGISTER HERE!
March 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Rev. Damien Lake and I are collaborating on hosting a cohort for new congregation developers that will meet monthly. Ecumenical. Interfaith. Free. Join us.
April 1, 2025 - Rabbi Benjamin Ross and I are collaborating on a new leadership program called “All Together Now: A Collaborative Cohort for Jewish Congregational Leadership Teams.” You can read about the program here.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Really appreciated this article by Brandon Ambrosino: https://www.christiancentury.org/features/does-god-want-america?utm_source=Christian+Century+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8c5ea88a97-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_EdPicks_2025-02-11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b00cd618da-8c5ea88a97-86189975
Thanks Cameron! Don’t you think, “Make America Good Again” has a nice ring to it? The characteristics: Lifting up, protecting the vulnerable, being kind, making well, learning all we can, digging in the dirt, breathing fresh air, drinking clean water, being faithful, seeing the marginalized, being just, etc., etc. etc? Maybe someone will pickup on it and develop it as an alternative to, “Make America Great Again!”