The story is told of a woodpecker who was so intent on his work on a huge oak tree that he did not see a storm coming. Lightning struck the tree and split it in two, blowing the woodpecker to the ground. The bird dusts himself off, feathers still smoldering and notices the tree. Then he flies off into the forest, proclaiming to the other animals, "Look what I did!"

A little child, producing her first work of "art" comes running into the room shouting, "Mommy, look what I've done!" A teenager striving to gain status with other teenagers may proclaim, "Look what I can do'." Even adults get together and attempt to impress one another with, "Look what I can do!"

In the realm of Christianity there is little room for what "I have done." Rather we need to he showing people what Christ has done, always pointing the way to the Father. The apostle Paul said, "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"(1 Cor. 9:16). Jesus taught " "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." (Lk. 17:10).

One of the greatest NFL running backs of recent years is Emmitt Smith. In 1994, following Super Bowl XXVIII, Emmitt Smith made a powerful statement about greatness. Thurman Thomas, another great running back, was sitting on the Buffalo bench following his team's fourth straight Super Bowl loss. Thomas had his bead down with his hands covering his face. Thomas had fumbled three times that afternoon. At that same Super Bowl, on the other side of the field, Emmitt Smith had just been named MVP. While Thurman Thomas sat on the bench dejected, Emmitt Smith carried a young girl around the stadium. Smith walked up behind Thomas and said, "I want you to meet the greatest running back in the NFL, Mr. Thurman Thomas."

"Look what I have done!" Humility is a powerful teacher. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Phil. 2:3). " Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (Jas. 4:10). Regardless of what else Emmitt Smith may do with his life, he taught a powerful lesson that Sunday afternoon. A lesson that neither Thurman Thomas or that little girl will ever forget.

Jesus provided the same type of lesson for us. He is our example (I Pt. 2:21) that we should be seeking to imitate (I Cor. 11:1). Do you want to learn how to be humble—follow the example of Jesus. " Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name," (Phil. 2: 5-9). Have you learned that lesson yet?

Mike Gurganus
PO Box. 916
Henderson, NC 27536