Sometimes we can dream about something for a long time, and then, when we finally get our shot, it doesn’t work out anything like we expected it to.
Several years ago my son couldn’t wait to play tackle football for the first time. He was fired up at the first practice, hoping to catch on quickly, knowing full well that there was a great big learning curve ahead.
After a few weeks, Alex had gotten used to the drills and was really enjoying his teammates. He was thrilled to have a number and a spot on the roster. And then right before the first game, he found out that, because of his age, he was actually supposed to be on a different team. He had the option to switch to a new team—where he wouldn’t know many people but might get to play in games—or stay on his original team without being able to compete since he was past the age limit.
“I’m staying with my team,” Alex said. For the rest of the season, he continued to go to every practice, but he never played a down in an actual game. His coach asked him if he’d like to be the water boy during the games, and week after week, that’s exactly what he did. He practiced three days a week, and during the games, he handed out water.
It was nothing like what he expected or wanted. But his daddy and I remain convinced that in the big picture of Alex’s life and character, that particular football season will continue to be so important. Our boy learned about loyalty, commitment, service, and humility—all more valuable than blocking a defensive lineman or recovering a fumble. And even though he may not have realized it, he learned firsthand about characteristics that matter a great deal to God.
Here’s the thing: when it comes to humility, the Lord’s ways run contrary to the world’s ways. Truthfully, His ways seem upside down. For example, Scripture tells us that the first will be last and the last will be first (Matthew 19:30). It says that whoever saves his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will find it (Mark 9:35). In 2 Corinthians, Paul tells us that when he is weak, he is strong (12:10).
Every once in a while, we go into situations looking for the lofty. We want to be lifted up, we want to be known, we want attention and adulation and the world’s definition of success.
But when the world says “go high,” the gospel says, “get low.”
That doesn’t mean we don’t work with all our might at whatever we do. But when no task is beneath us, no act of service is too small, and a high-five from others isn’t our motivator, that’s when people just might see Jesus in us. Our lives are not our own, and we are not the point. He is.
Don’t be discouraged the next time you start a new job, a new season, or a new opportunity and realize that you’re going to be behind-the-scenes instead of front-and-center. We’ll never learn more about the character of our Savior than when we serve, love, and get low for the glory of God.
1. Has there ever been a time when you were looking forward to being a part of something for a long time and then your role was nothing like you thought it would be? What was that like? (And if not, then how do you think that would make you feel?)
2. Can you think of a time when you had an unexpected opportunity to serve and were blessed by the experience? Explain.
3. Do you have opportunities to serve others on a regular basis? If not, can you think of some ways you could start serving regularly?
4. Read John 3:30. Write, doodle, or illustrate it here.
Today’s Prayer