Out Of The Spotlight

Muhammad Ali’s signature line was “I am the greatest.” He had supreme confidence in his ability, and he knew his attitude sold tickets. His swagger was a novelty.

Today this “look at me” attitude isn’t uncommon at all. The more SportsCenter moments a player has, the more viewers they will draw and the more valuable they will be to their team—and the more they will be paid. They feel they need to blow their own horns because no one else will. And it seems to work.

But while that attitude gets a lot of attention, it isn’t very appealing. Nobody really believes us when we blow our own horns because we’re biased. And our focus on ourselves comes across as self-centered and prideful.

Scripture tells us not to praise ourselves but to let others speak about us. Whatever field we work in, our job is to do the best we can and let our attitude, work ethic, gifts, and skills speak volumes. When we do that, others will eventually notice, and that will mean much more to us and to them than if we had to make them notice with our mouths. God honors humility, not pride.

His Promises

The way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. . . . You will grow as you learn to know God better and better. . . . You will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.

Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.