FCA: Strong DevotionalSample

Where’s the Spotlight?

Rex Stump

Ready:

“Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—a stranger, not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2

Set:

Do we need a National Signing Day for high school athletes going to college? Do we need to fill high schools with ESPN cameras and parade atmospheres? One young man made a video announcing his plans to attend a university that had no scholarships left for him. One school cancelled their big day for a recruit who found himself sitting in jail waiting bond on charges of burglary of a firearm. Today anyone can post their accomplishments in a matter of seconds. So, do we need a National Day to feed the hype of talent?

God gave us talents and gifts and we should use them, especially for His glory. When we accomplish something and dance around slapping ourselves in the chest, drawing attention to ourselves, we take the credit for something that doesn’t belong to us. Instead, we should give the glory back to God, and put the spotlight on Him! If someone is going to praise you for what you did, let it come from their mouth, not yours. Thank them for their compliment, but make sure you direct that spotlight back to God. 

We read in John 13 that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, taking on the servant’s role. He was top at what He did, but He never demanded the spotlight to shine on Him! From start (birth in a manger) to finish (death on a cross), Jesus never demanded the attention. Should we? 

Go:

1. Am I guilty of boasting about myself too much?

2. When I do something well, do I take credit or give God thanks?

3. What is a practical way to thank God for the talent He gave us?

Overtime:

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the talent and gifts You have given to me. Forgive me if I feel that I deserve all the attention. Give me a humble spirit and a tongue that continually gives You thanks.