I tell my athletes, "Be someone who people want to play with, play for, and cheer for." One way to make this happen is through humility.
Humility is being free from pride or arrogance. When you are humble, you are self-aware and know what your greatest strengths are, but you don't overly boast or brag about them. Nobody wants to be around someone who talks about and brags about themselves all day.
People want to be around people who make them feel good and confident about themselves, and who make others better.
You can do those things, be humble, and still be an absolute superstar. In fact, if you can be a humble superstar, you might get more people to like you, respect you, follow you, and support you.
Being a humble superstar can be hard because when you are good at something, people tell you how good you are, and those affirmations can go to your head.
In the Bible, the apostle Paul wrote about humility specifically when talking to the church in Philippi. Philippi was an ancient Greek city named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. It was the first Roman colony established east of the Adriatic Sea, marking Rome's growing influence in the region. It became a symbol of Roman power and a center of Roman administration.
Philippi was also the first city in Europe where Paul was able to establish a Christian church after he was able to convert a prominent businesswoman, Lydia.
But within the church in Philippi, there was rivalry, envy, and self-centeredness. The motivation of some of the preachers in the different house churches in Philippi was to make Paul jealous, and when he was locked in jail and his followers were decreasing, many of the church leaders in Philippi thought and said they could get out and preach to build a bigger church than he had.
In his letter to the Philippians, specifically in chapter 2, Paul captures the essence of humility and its significance in the Christian life. In Philippians 2:3-11, he presents a powerful passage that has become a cornerstone of Christian teaching on humility.
Paul begins by establishing the foundation of humility: "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)
He urges believers to set aside their own selfish desires and prioritize the needs of others. This selfless attitude is the cornerstone of humility, as it requires us to move beyond our own egos and focus on the well-being of those around us.
Paul further elaborates on the mindset of humility by reminding believers of the example set by Christ: "Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
He emphasizes that Christ, despite being fully God, did not cling to His divine status but willingly humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant and even enduring the humiliation and suffering of death on the cross. This act of selflessness and obedience serves as the ultimate model of humility for all Christians.
Paul concludes the passage by urging believers to adopt the same attitude of humility that Christ demonstrated: "Therefore, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)
He encourages them to embrace the same mindset of selflessness, obedience, and service that characterized Christ's life. By adopting this attitude, Christians can reflect the humility of Christ and live out His teachings in their own lives.
Paul's message on humility in Philippians 2 is a profound and transformative one. It calls believers to set aside their own pride and self-interest, embracing instead an attitude of selfless service and obedience to God. By following Christ's example of humility, we can cultivate deeper relationships, experience greater peace, and make a positive impact on the world around us.
SOMETHING(s) TO THINK ABOUT
1 - What is your biggest takeaway from this devotional?
2 - What does humility mean to you?
3 - Why should you be humble, or should you?
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