Humble Yourself

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:7-8, 10) 
 
I remember when I played football as a kid, and in high school, the coaches always used to tell the offensive players, no matter how big you are, always stay low. That way, you can have leverage in the game against your opponent. Stay low.  
 
This simple principle applies to life as well. No matter how big you get in life, stay low. No matter what title you have in front of your name, how much money you have in the bank, or how many people you have under your command, stay low. For the moment you attempt to use your position, your standing, or your stature to look down on others is the moment you fail.  
 
We need more people who will stay low, who will come down off of their high horses, roll up their sleeves, and serve. Anyone can give orders, but it takes courage to come down from a high and lofty position to share the burden of another.  
 
Jesus modeled this so well for us. Instead of using His power to lord over people, He came to earth with humility and shared in the suffering and burdens we all face as humans. He spent time with the outcasts, the disregarded, and the less fortunate. He attended to the needs of those who couldn’t help themselves. He was a true and perfect picture of humble service, one that we would all be wise to emulate as His followers.