Growing up I spent 4 ½ years living in Hawaii. Before you get jealous, my family moved to Hawaii when I was 3 and left after I finished the second grade. My older brother and sister could tell you more about Hawaii than I ever could. I do remember a few things, I remember having a coconut palm tree in our yard, and a playground not too far from our house. One thing I do remember was going to school at Nimitz Elementary School. The school was named after Admiral Chester Nimitz, who was the commander and chief of the Pacific fleet during World War II.

As a child, I never thought much of who my school was named for, but as an adult it is something that I cherish. For example, it was Nimitz who said of the men who fought the battle of Iwo Jima, “Among those who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”  If you study his life and career, you will discover that Nimitz was a visionary leader who worked to develop a strategic plan. He knew the importance of empowerment and delegation and was adaptable and a lifelong learner. These characteristics made Nimitz a formidable leader. But what made him Great was his humility. Nimitz was known for putting the sailors first. He lived this out by investing  time in the men under his command and made sure that he met with every commanding officer that came to Pearl Harbor. When he died in 1966, the year I was born, he could have been laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, but he left orders that he was to be buried with his men.

Nimitz encapsulates the words of Jesus, “For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:38). True humility is what makes one great. Humility flies against our nature. By nature, we are proud people who seek to promote ourselves. We want to be great. But Jesus taught us that greatness comes first to those who die to themselves. In whatever you do seek to put others first and will be on the path to greatness.