The world compels us to have an aggressive competitive spirit and believe it is necessary to get ahead in life and be successful. Competition in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it can lead a person down a dark path when it goes unchecked. One of the poisonous byproducts of this dark path is an all-consuming ego. Such people place themselves on a pedestal above all others as the privileged elite. In the New Testament, Luke records a time when Jesus told a parable that taught it is best to have a humble attitude instead of an oversized ego.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 14:7-11
Therefore, in the week ahead and beyond, let us be encouraged by Jesus’ words to have a humble attitude as we venture out into the world. Let us pause to allow someone to go ahead of us in line, have the more honorable seat, and let us be sure to give credit where credit is due to others. We must do this not with any expectation of receiving something in return, but with a mindset that desires only to honor and glorify our Father in heaven. Jesus said, “He who humbles himself will be exalted,” and who among us would prefer being humbled by man’s corruptness over being magnified by God’s divine blessing. Jesus gave us the perfect formula for keeping a humble attitude during the most trying times of life. Jesus said:
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Luke 6:26-28
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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