Humility: It Starts with Being Coachable

From a young age, my parents taught me the importance of humility. They raised me to show respect to everyone, to go out of my way to help others, and to give my best in my work.

After I became a Christian, the importance of humility became even clearer to me. God’s Word reveals how we are to behave, treat people, and live our lives according to His instruction. These lessons, from my earthly parents and my heavenly Father, are the foundation for a righteous life.

I know where I came from. I know my objective in the world, and I know who my heavenly Father is. I know that, even as a professional football player, I am not better than anyone.

I don’t have any special powers. I’m not a superhero. The difference is who I have inside of me–the Spirit of the living God dwells in my heart.

I have played on the world’s biggest stages: the Olympics, the Champions League final, the English Premier League. Tens of thousands of people have cheered my name. Hundreds wear my jersey into the stadium. But none of these things changes my status before the Father.

Everyone is special to God, and every human is created in His image. Everyone who accepts the truth of His Word can be part of the family of God.

I believe that my work matters to God. My job here is to give my best and display the talent God has given me. But more importantly, God has called me to reflect His character to those who watch me play. Whether I succeed or fail on the field, my greatest mission is to carry the gospel with me in every circumstance and through every season.

One of the last messages Jesus gave his disciples was a powerful lesson in humility. John 13 tells us that Jesus knelt at his friends' feet and washed their feet. The King of kings, with a heart full of love, took up the posture of a lowly servant. And He instructed his disciples to do the same.

When you humble your heart before the Father, you become more like Jesus. When you display that humility in your walk with Christ, you reveal the heart and character of Christ in you to those around you.

Challenge:

• Take some time to reflect on the posture of your heart. Are there any areas you have hardened to transformation rather than humbly submitting to the work of God in your life?
• How can you carry yourself with humility to reflect Christ to those around you?

Prayer:

"God, thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be the perfect example of humility. Help me to humble myself before You, so that my heart can be changed by You. Allow me to reflect Your character to those around me. Keep me grounded in Your Word and secure in the truth of what you say about me. Transform me from the inside out. Amen."