Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4, NIV

The other children had dutifully filed down the steps, but he wouldn’t get off the stage! Here we were, in front of a full auditorium of parents, and this child wouldn’t leave the stage. He kept saying to me, “I want to sing a solo.”

Now, Jacob was a rather eccentric child, but this was ridiculous. He and his classmates had finished their song, and now another group waited to perform. As a first grader, he must have known that this was no time for grandstanding—the performance was over!

Adults would never do something like this, right? Children let their feelings show, even when it casts them in a poor light—not adults! But the truth is, adults do things to attract attention; they are just a little more subtle—exaggerating stories, bragging about their work or adventures, putting down others, and gossiping.

God wants us to be “to the praise of His glory.” If we truly want that as well, then we must examine our motives and put away the tendencies of our human nature to desire the center of attention.

Today, O Lord, give us Your grace to deny ourselves and humbly give You glory in everything we say and do. Thank You. Amen.

Copyright Shirley Wilson.

Shirley is a retired Christian Educators member and former board member of Christian Educators.