"…in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Philippians 2:3, NKJV
One major lesson in the Christian life, in ministry, in marriage, in family and in most relationships is the fine art of making other people look good.
What does it mean to make others look good?
It means we consider others to be better than ourselves. It means we decrease and they increase. It means we seek the well being of others. It means we humble ourselves and trust God. A tall order!
In real life, it might look like this:
It’s the employee who works hard behind the scenes to make his or her boss shine in public.
It’s the wife who dots the “i’s” and crosses the “t’s” when no one is looking to make her husband look great when everyone is looking.
It’s the multitudes of men and women in uniform who daily lay down their lives so we can enjoy ours.
It’s the dad who coaches his kids when he’s already overworked and exhausted, to give them confidence to be their best later in life.
It’s the mom who sacrifices her desires in a given season so that she can help her kids be all that God wants them to be.
It’s the coworker who does most of the work, but lets his or her teammates share in the credit.
It’s the people at church in the ministry of helps, ushering, traffic, prayer, administration, tech, backstage and a host of other invisible roles who help the speaker do his or her best when they are front and center and very visible.
It’s the employer who gives accolades, gifts, benefits and rewards to employees to honor their efforts and help them shine.
It’s the brother or sister who celebrates the success of his or her sibling as they skyrocket to success.
It's the friend who didn't get the job or make the cut, but congratulates and celebrates their friends who did.
It’s the leader who gives the young up-and-comer a leg up and an opportunity for success, knowing that this mentee could very well have success that eclipses his or her own.
It’s the person who plans, prepares, works, sweats and executes without notice, so that others can be noticed and receive compliments and kudos for a job well done.
It's Jesus Christ who laid down His life on the cross where He made the Great Exchange by taking our sin, sickness and lack so we could be forgiven, have eternal life, health, healing and abundance. Jesus was the Master at making us look good through His work on the cross!
It takes a person of great maturity, humility and faith to make others look good. The Bible has a lot to say about the godly qualities of this type of person…
They know how to decrease: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30, NKJV)
They know how to seek things that matter to God: “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:21, NKJV)
They know their place: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time….” (1 Peter 5:5-6, NKJV)
Do you know people like this? Are you one of them? These kinds of people are gems. Who’s making you look good? Have you prayed for them lately? Thanked them? Rewarded them? Honored or acknowledged them? If someone has made you look good – why not make them look really good today!
Say It: “Father, I thank You for all the people that make me look good. Today, I pray for those who have helped me. I pray they look good in all that they do. May their life shine brightly and may their gifts and contributions be recognized and appreciated. Help me to make others look good. Most of all, Lord I pray that You are the One who is exalted, honored and made to look good in and through my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
