Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:4–8)

The Mess

The men’s dressing room was an absolute mess, and our team manager had given us clear directions to clean it up. I was nearing the end of my first travel year as a singer on a Life Action Ministries team.

I surveyed the dressing room, picked up my few belongings, and went on my way. A fellow team member stopped me. I don’t remember his exact words, but the gist of the conversation went like this:

“Brian, where are you going? The dressing room isn’t clean yet.”

“I’ve cleaned up my stuff. The rest of this isn’t mine.”

“But we were all told to work until it was done. You shouldn’t be leaving.”

“Stuff it! Go jump in a lake. I’ve picked up my things and it’s not my fault if the rest of you slobs can’t get your act together. Clean up your own mess.”

Well, it wasn’t quite that hot. But it was close. I left, and the other guys finished cleaning up the classroom-turned-pigsty. After all, it wasn’t my mess.

The Lesson

Later that day, God got me with these words: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Ouch. Looking out for myself is exactly what I had done. My things were cleaned up, so what did I care about helping anyone else?

Unwilling to serve others, I had totally forgotten to reflect Christ’s humility. My friend and I had another conversation a bit later, this time without the ugly tone.

I wish I could say that I got the humility thing down after that non-servant moment. But I can’t. The Lord keeps nailing me on this one. Actually, I’m still very selfish and don’t like to take the servant’s place.

Lack of humility shows itself in other ways. Have you ever met someone with “peacock syndrome”? You know, the kind of person who likes to strut and show off their feathers? The biblical word for that is pride.

We are wrongly proud of many things: athletic ability, physical beauty, intellect, material wealth. But God says,

Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

The Paradox

Most of us don’t voluntarily assume a servant’s role. We feel we’re doing well to take care of our own responsibilities. In the business world, and often in the church, nearly everyone is concerned about climbing up the ladder of status, power, and position. We ignore the fact that Jesus teaches us to climb down for the bottom.

Several years ago, I asked a pastor friend what was the most important thing I needed to learn in training for ministry. His answer? “Learn how to wash feet.” Not what I expected, but good, Christlike advice. Jesus said,

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11–12)

Sounds upside down, doesn’t it? But that is the way of the kingdom. The way up is down. Death is the gateway to life. Humility is the pathway to true greatness.