One of the motivational sayings my high school football coach posted on the wall of the locker room said, “It’s amazing how much we can accomplish when nobody cares who gets the credit.”
This is true in sports, in business, in relationships and life but it really begins and ends with Jesus.
When Jesus makes you who you are, and Jesus is why you live, you know that nobody else can threaten your identity. Nobody else can take away how much God approves of you by his choice, by his grace.
Therefore, you just get along better with people. You don’t need them, but you do love them.
You don’t compare yourself to them, but you do serve them from a lower position or—if so blessed—serve them from a higher position.
Humility allows you to be the second string quarterback cheering on the sidelines and working hard every practice. Humility also allows you to be the first string quarterback, lead confidently, and not let success give you an ego too big for your own good or the good of others.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3,4).
Humility recognizes my need to make things more about me than others, and repents.
Humility trusts in the saving mercy and full forgiveness of Jesus, and doesn’t need to work to earn salvation (which is always a free gift).
Humility welcomes the exceptional, extraordinary work of Jesus Christ without needing to add to it or replace it.
Therefore, humility makes us better able to relate to others. Humility leads to harmony which creates happiness.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, your humility saves me from my selfishness, pride and self-importance. You became the lowest of servants, and gave yourself for me. Lord, help me to pursue humility in my relationships, and serve others the same way. Bless them, and even save them, as they see your love in me. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read this ancient poem about Jesus’ humility and how it saves us, in Philippians 2:6-11.