Valuing Someone Else
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
This short verse carries a tall order. It asks us to loosen our grip on recognition, to quiet the instinct to put ourselves first, and to choose humility even when the spotlight is shining directly on us.
A beautiful picture of that kind of humility played out during a high school homecoming at Roswell High School in Georgia. When senior quarterback Trey Smith was announced as homecoming king, the crowd expected celebration—cheers, photos, a moment all his own. Instead, Trey did something unexpected. He immediately handed his crown and sash to his friend Jake Jeffries, a fellow senior with Down syndrome who has never missed a football game. In a single, generous act, Trey redirected honor away from himself and toward someone he loved, reminding everyone watching that true greatness isn’t about being seen—it’s about seeing others.
Philippians 2:3 doesn’t tell us to think poorly of ourselves; it invites us to think more highly of others. Trey’s gesture reflects the heart of Christ, who consistently lifted those around Him, choosing love over status and service over self. Humility like that doesn’t diminish us, it reveals who we really are.
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what true humility looks like. Help us to release our need for recognition and to value others above ourselves. Open our eyes to moments where we can honor, uplift, and serve, even when it costs us something. Shape our hearts to look more like Yours, so that our lives point others to Your love. Amen.