From my reading in Luke 14:1-24 in the One Year New Testament.

“Shotgun No Blitz!”

Growing up we used to play the game where when you saw the car you yell “shot gun” and then you get to sit in the front seat. We would fight over the better seat. Jesus dealt with a similar issue with some people who were with him.

Jesus saw that all the people who came to the dinner party he was attending were maneuvering to try and get the best seats. Noticing this, Jesus gave some powerful advice.

Imagine you are at a wedding.

Don’t take the most important seat, because if someone even more distinguished than you comes you will be embarrassed and asked to move to one of the least important seats.

If you take the lowest seat first then when the host recognizes you you will be put in a better position and will be honored in front of everyone. Here’s the moral of Jesus’ story.

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

“Back Seat No Leg Room!”

After learning about humilty and a verse on “putting the interests of other above our own” we put a different spin on our game. Instead of yelling “shot gun on blitz” we would yell “back seat no leg room.”

#Selfie

I am active on Instagram and I see way more “selfies” than I would care to. Our culture tells us that if we don’t promote ourselves no one will. Often when we are in the process of self promoting we don’t even recognize it. It is such a part of our culture, we need to make a conscious effort not to toot our own horn.

How Do You Humble Yourself?

I think humbling yourself is choosing to allow others to have the spotlight. To celebrate others and to give them the priority. It is coming to a place where you are more worried about the happiness of others than your own happiness. As many have said…

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself it is thinking of yourself less.”

People love being around someone who genuinely looks out for their interests. Humble people are a joy to be around.  Jesus story is basically a paraphrase of a Jewish proverb…

“Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.” Proverbs 25:6–7

It may take longer to “make it big” or for you to reach the audience you want. But if you choose humility and if you are promoted then it will be because you are meant to be there and not because you pushed for it. Then you will be better prepared for the greater responsibility that comes with notoriety.

Are you willing to wait humbly to be promoted? 

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