We love to be the best. 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, “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. It is essential that we are life-learners who desire to grow and develop. But it doesn’t stop there!

We are made for others. 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.

“Everything they do is for men to see…The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
– Jesus (Matthew 23:5,11-12)

Be the best me for me or for others? If your desire to continually get better is for your glory, your status, your position or your reputation, you are missing the point and have your sights set on the wrong target. Those around you will see your selfish motives.

People of impact have a three-word job description: Make others better! NFL players like Tim Tebow and Ray Lewis get this. 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. Tebow and Lewis feel an obligation to give back, serve others and make others better. These men model the words of Jesus.

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus (Matthew 20:26-28)

It’s not about you. When Jesus is the center, we take our eyes off of 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.

When you walk in the room, onto the field, or into the locker-room, are others glad you are there? Do you set the example with our teammates? Do you encourage them with your words? Do you show them love in the way you serve them? Do they want to be the type of person they see in you? Are you intentional in taking others under your wing to pour out what God has poured in? Coaches and athletes, this is what we are called to do, Make Others Better, today.