Daily Devotional

Shortly after I was medically discharged from the United States Marine Corps, a friend of mine, who I played volleyball with in high school, called me and asked me if I wanted to help him coach girls volleyball. "Uhhh...I don't know anything about high school girls volleyball," I told him. "Well you played," he said, "just teach them anything." At that moment I realized that my feelings of being ineffective as a coach may have been selfish. I wasn't thinking about what the players needed, I was solely focused on what I had or didn't have for that matter. The reality is my contribution was significant, it just had to be viewed from the correct perspective.

What's the first thing our eyes seem to gravitate toward when we are looking at a team or family photo? Ourselves, right? We are naturally selfish beings and we fight a daily battle with selfishness which of course affects how we contribute not only to our families, but also to our communities, and even to our relationship with Christ. It's human nature to be self-centered, however, it's also in our nature to genuinely want to make a contribution. The two are often in conflict with each other, which is why we have to check our motives when we have opportunities to give.

Jesus was the only human being who didn't yield to selfish tendencies. He offered the greatest contribution that humanity has ever known: the sacrifice of his life for our sins. In order to make a powerful impact for Christ and significant contribution, to building his Kingdom, we are called to follow his selfless example. Instead of focusing on what you may or may not have, focus on denying yourself, carrying your cross daily, and following Christ. It is through these genuine acts of humility, in which he will undoubtedly lead us to the most significant contributions we can ever make.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.