Morning Devotional
October  14, 2005
"A Good Race" (Part 14)     
    by Don Emmitte

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. (Philippians 2:1-4 NLT).

 

Humility is a dying trait in our country. If you consider the television programs or the commercials alone our culture is far more into building self-worth and pride than it is in promoting humility. Society seems to advance individuals while tearing down others.

 

That’s certainly not the way of Christ. The gospels are so clear in the presentation of the humility of Christ. In a few more verses in the chapter of today’s reading, we will see the apostle admonish us to be like Christ, to be humble. Humility is not weakness. It is controlled and directed strength. It is focused passion.

 

Today I am directing a meeting with all the sales staff in my department at work. One of the things we are going to do is look at the importance of teamwork to accomplish mutually beneficial goals. I have several things we will cover in the meeting, however at the end I am presenting each of them with a little reminder for their desks. It is a granite paperweight with an inscription. It says: Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.”

 

When we are truly living a life of humility it will be a strong life full of inspiration to others. It will show. We don’t need to sound our own praises; others will do it for us simply because of the impact we make in their lives. We “autograph” our work with excellence!

 

I have a dear friend that is my inspiration in humility. He is successful by most worldly measure, yet he lives to serve others. His life is truly humble in heart. He never seems to serve for personal gain or to make himself look bigger. That’s the way I want to live my life. Isn’t that the way you want to live?

 

Today, consider what you can do, for no recognition, to help someone else in life. Invest your time, money and resources into a Kingdom building experience as you model the humility of Christ to someone today!