REFOCUS
As you focus on God’s presence use the following phrase, based on John the Baptist’s words in John 3:30 to express His lordship in your life. Breathe deeply. On the inhale say the first part of the phrase. On the exhale say the second:
“You must increase,
And I must decrease.”
READ
Luke 18: 14b
Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
Philippians 1: 3-11
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
REFLECT
Hockey and Humility
Herb Brooks was the coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. After overcoming a much-favored Soviet team to win the gold model they became known as the “Miracle on Ice Team.”
In an interview, Coach Brooks was asked how he picked players for his team. “When assembling the roster,” he said, “I was looking for certain players. I wasn’t looking for the best players; I was looking for the right players.”
He further commented that he needed players who had little concern for being in the spotlight. Instead, he wanted those who showed evidence that they understood and practiced sacrifice. When they strapped on their skates, it needed to be for something “bigger than themselves.”
Herb was describing the value of humility. Humility in sports can be a rare thing. Parents can be found yelling obscenities at Little League coaches. Players taunt their opponents, making rude gestures.
They make music videos that proclaim their “greatness.” Even risking penalties, some can’t seem to resist the urge to self-promote. Perhaps they believe, as so many do, that this is the only way to get noticed and get ahead.
Jesus revealed a different understanding of success. He was not only the “best player,” He was the “right” player. Although He was God and had every right to boast of His status and power, He left Heaven and humbled Himself.
He came to live as a human being in the smallest of towns. He allowed others to misunderstand Him, even betray Him so that He could make the ultimate sacrifice for those He loved. He was willing to go to the cross in order that we might be free from sin and be reconciled to God.
Humility serves, and even sacrifices, as needed. Although it is an attitude, it is most evident in actions. Since it doesn’t point to itself, words alone cannot express or contain it.
When Jesus describes it as “dying to self,” one of the things he is describing is putting our success out of our minds long enough to focus on the success of others. Like Jesus, humble people die to self and see themselves as servants — agents of elevating others.
The faithful follower of Jesus encourages others and celebrates their successes. He serves without demanding affirmation, attention or recognition.
Seeing another succeed is enough to inspire thankfulness in them. In the process, all involved are lifted up and inspired.
Humility beats pride every time.
Humility produces winners, here and for eternity.
RESPOND
Questions to Consider
- As you look at how you live life, which would appear to be more important to you – to be a “good player” or the “right player?”
- What ability can you use today for the benefit of others? Who could you serve with that ability?
Prayer
The prayer of St. Francis is a beautiful expression of humility in serving. Pray it slowly and thoughtfully, making each phrase a prayer of your heart.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Blessings,
Rev. James R. Needham, PhD, MDiv