Daily Encouragement: Year 1, Day 21
Adapted from Handbook to Leadership
Personal Development: Humility
The main goal for Christians is to reflect the life of Christ in their own lives. And the character trait that best enables us to do that is humility. After exhorting the Philippians to lay aside their personal interests and focus on the needs of others, Paul tells us how to follow the example of Christ (vv. 5–11). From this beautiful passage we learn three things about our Lord that model for us the essence of true humility.
First, Jesus didn’t selfishly cling to the outer expression of His divinity. Instead, He took the form of a servant. A humble Christian doesn’t flaunt his or her position or power.
Second, Jesus demonstrated humility through obedience to God the Father. A humble Christian doesn’t impose his or her will on God, but submits to God’s commands.
Third, Jesus waited for His Father to lift Him up. A Christian leader doesn’t grab for power or position. He or she patiently waits for God to increase his or her influence.
As the perfect model for godly leadership, Jesus set the perfect example of humility. Ask God to help you follow Jesus’ example as you seek to demonstrate the kind of humility that will cause others to see Jesus in you.