"Football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important than that."

Bill Shankly, Liverpool Football manager

Humility

Humility might be called a core value of Christianity. The context of this saying of Jesus is that the people invited to a function were fighting to get the seats of honour. Jesus said that it was better to take a lowly place and to be invited to take a better seat that the other way round.

I remember once sitting with an Olympic champion. Someone came and asked for a photo – with the Olympian not with me! After the photo, the Olympian, turned to me and said: “I don’t get it; why would she want a photo with me?” It was a genuine humility from a person who did not feel special just because of an ability to run fast.

When everyone treats you differently and your achievements are recognized – even at club level as opposed to the world stage – it can be hard to remain humble.

I was once involved with a football team playing in a Christian tournament. The players were amateur or semi-pro. There was one former Premier League player in the team. After the first game everyone threw their match shirts on the floor. Next thing I saw was the ex Premier League player picking them up. Next match he was carrying the water bottles out to the pitch. Humility!

Paul told the Philippians: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

Express your faith today in a practical way, showing that you understand the core values.

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