Philippians 2:3 – “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
We all want to be the best, don’t we? There’s a competitive streak in each of us that drives us to be better than our peers. Whether it’s a kid in a running race, or an adult striving for a promotion, we all have the innate need to prove ourselves and be better than everyone else. Even Jesus’s disciples argued about who was the greatest among them, on more than one occasion (Luke 9:48, Luke 22:24).
There’s nothing inherently wrong in wanting to be the best. In fact, excellence is a quality that’s encouraged in the Bible (2 Corinthians 8:7). However, our quest for excellence must not be at the cost of putting someone else down. In the Kingdom of God, anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:35).
Our Lord Jesus Christ was a servant leader – He led people by serving them, even stooping down to wash the feet of the man who would eventually betray Him. If we want to be the best, we must first humble ourselves and let go of selfish ambition. When we seek the Lord first, He will place His divine desires in our heart. Then, our pride and self-centeredness will be replaced with humility, and genuine love and concern for others.
Prayer: Lord, I want to follow in Your footsteps. Help me follow your example of servant leadership in everything I do, say, or think. May Your Name be glorified in and through my life. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
