Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.–1 Peter 5:5
Louis Garza moved into our neighborhood when he was in the sixth grade. He was big, strong, fast, . . . and humble. He was easily the best athlete in our whole group, and we had a lot of really good athletes. But Louis was different; he willingly did anything for the good of the team.
It’s always tough trying to fit into a new group, but Louis slipped into ours easily. He didn’t demand anything. As a matter of fact, Louis was so humble that he always tried to get his weaker teammates to experience the more glamorous positions. He wanted others to feel special and succeed.
Most of us don’t strive to be humble or desire to be subject to others. Most of us don’t want to serve anybody, especially those inferior to us in intelligence or athletic ability. God tells us not only to live in humility, but also to clothe ourselves in it. What does that mean?
Clothing ourselves is something we do every day—for the entire day. Clothing ourselves with humility means we have to put humility on, because it doesn’t come naturally. It takes effort. It takes willpower. It takes stamina. And it takes God.
True humility means to consider others as more important than ourselves. It means we need to remove our selfish desires and willingly let others get the first choice. It means to be of service to others and God for His glory. We need a lot of Louis Garzas on our teams and in our schools . . . why not you?
1. How can you show humility today?
2. Whom will you serve today, and how will you do it?
Philippians 2:5-11
Lord, forgive me for being selfish. Help me clothe myself in humility and see others through Your eyes. Show me how to serve in such a way that You get all the glory. Amen.