In my first senior World Cup with Ghana, I was one of the younger players in a squad full of experienced veterans. That type of environment can be intimidating. So when you do something well in training, the natural response is to boast.
Throughout the tournament, whenever the temptation to exalt myself arose, the Holy Spirit would whisper to me to remain humble.
As Christians, we have a higher calling than etching our name in the achievers column. In God’s upside down Kingdom, writing your name in the achievers column based on wins, trophies, or stats is like writing your name in the sand. The tide comes in and goes out, and nothing written there lasts.
In the upside down Kingdom, we are called to surrender our need to be recognized and our desire to be celebrated. Instead, we take the role of servant. Ultimately what matters is not our success but how we sacrificially serve those He has placed in our lives.
We don’t have a better example of humility than Jesus. The very son of God humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8). Before his death and resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples a clear message about himself—He did not come to the world to be served but to serve others. He came to lay down his life for us (Mark 10:45).
As his followers, we are to emulate the humility of Jesus as we surrender to God and reflect His image.
Whatever your profession is, whether you are an athlete who competes in front of thousands or someone who works behind the scenes, you are always a servant first.
Challenge
Take some time to reflect. When have you tried to write your name in the achievers column, measuring yourself by what you have accomplished rather than by what Jesus has done for you?
What is one practical way you can serve a teammate, friend, family member, or co-worker this week?
Prayer
“Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus as a perfect example of humility. As I walk with you, make me more like Jesus. Replace my pride with a humble spirit. Turn my desire to be recognized into a passion to serve those around me. Help me to focus not on what I have done, but on what You have done for me! In Jesus’ name, amen.”