It’s Not About You
They do everything to be observed by others. . . . The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. - Matthew 23:5, 11-12
As competitors, we want to be the best in everything. Being good is good, but being best is better. We want to go from good to great in every aspect of life. We have to be #1—on and off the field. Nobody remembers the loser. Second place? Seriously? We engage in the relentless pursuit of excellence!
“I must be the best me” is a principle I believe and live daily. In Luke 12:48 we are told that to whom much is entrusted, much is required. No matter what gifts you’ve been given, we must have a desire to be faithful and maximize them. If it’s all about me, then I’ll end up empty. Striving to get better in all aspects of our life isn’t a bad thing. But if it’s a selfish pursuit; it will never satisfy. When I live at my best, everyone else should benefit, because we are made for others.
We get—so we can give to others. We are loved—so we can love others. We are blessed—so we can bless others. We are meant to be a river, not a pond! Our purpose is to serve and bless others. Jesus takes aim at all of us who want to be great for our own selfish benefit and the applause of people.
People of impact have a three word job description: Make others better! When they step into the weight room or onto the practice field, everybody gets better; their desire to be their personal best spills over onto their teammates. When they work hard, everybody else works harder.
They lead by example, challenging and encouraging everybody else to fulfill their God-given potential. They take it to a different level—intentionally mentoring the next generation of players by investing their lives in others. They model personally what they desire for others. People of impact feel an obligation to give back, serve others and make others better. They model the words of Jesus.
When Jesus is the center, we take our eyes off us and are willing to invest in others. Serve. Sacrifice. Give. Love. If we pursue Christ in an effort to become more like Him, we can make others better. And this only happens because of Jesus in us. Coaches and athletes, this is what we are called to do: make others better, today.
1. In what areas of your life are you striving to be better? Are you making progress?
2. Are you making others around you better? How so?
3. As a competitor, what ways can you intentionally serve, build up and encourage?
John 13, Philippians 2:1-11
Lord God in Heaven, I desire to make others better. Teach me Your ways so that I can help, bless and encourage others. Show me how to put others before myself. I want to be your vessel today. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
