"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." -Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Touchdown celebrations have reached a whole new level these days. High-fives from your teammates just don’t cut it anymore. After making a touchdown catch against the Giants in week 15 of the 2003 season, New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Joe Horn pulled out his cell phone from the goalpost and made a call from the end zone. One NFL coach responded, “This is a team game. There was a quarterback that threw the ball, and there was an offensive line that protected for him. I just think that when you draw attention to yourself, it’s not necessary.”
A friend of mine had “TLINAU” put on his license plates. One day my curiosity got the better of me, so I asked him what the letters meant. “This life is not about us,” he replied. I was intrigued by the message as I thought about how often I selfishly live my life as if the world does revolve around me. Oh, of course, I would never say that it does, but don’t we often do things in a way that says “It’s all about me”?
In the sports world, it’s important to remember that purposely drawing attention to yourself minimizes the efforts of the rest of the team. It’s selfish and arrogant, and such showboating drives a stake between you and your teammates. Jesus Christ came to Earth to carry out the will of God for the benefit of others and to give up His life so that others could live. He was all about serving other people through love. He did nothing out of selfish ambition. May we follow His example and remember that this life is not about us but about serving God and serving others.
1. What is something you have done to draw attention to yourself in competition?
2. Why should you honor your team above yourself?
3. What can you do today to take the focus off yourself?
Matthew 20:28; Romans 12:3,10,16; Philippians 2:4-7
Father, I realize that many times the motivation behind my actions is not honorable. Please teach me how to put others’ needs before my own, for this life is not about me.