“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

Seek Humility

My junior year at Wheaton College my roommate was a stud basketball player. The 6-8 center had worked extremely hard both on the court and in the weight room (he went from190 pounds his freshman year to 230 pounds his junior year). The hard work paid off as well, as he earned all-conference and all-region honors his junior year. However, as remarkable as that was, it was something he said to me one day that impressed me even more. One day in our room he said to me, “Dave, don’t let me get too cocky. It’s easy to get caught up in basketball and get hot-headed. I don’t want that.”

In Matthew 23, Jesus scolds the Pharisees for their arrogance, and reminds us to stay humble. God desires for us not to become conceited, but to rely on Him. James 4:10 reminds us of this: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

In whatever we do, we must remember that all our abilities are God-given. Our success pleases God, but will you let your accomplishments go to your head, or will you be like my roommate and seek humility?

—DAVID NOELL

(PHOTO CREDIT: Will Folsom)