First things first

 

On live, national TV, after a lot of sports contests, commentators often thrust a microphone in front of a player who was key to the win and ask them to talk about the crucial play they made. Many athletes compliment their coaches and say they had them well-prepared to play the game; some talk about their teammates and the trust they have for each other to take the potential game-winning “shot”; and some talk not about their coaches or their teammates but rather about themselves, and how they knew they were destined to be a great player.  Then there are a few who don’t talk about their coaches, their team or themselves, but instead deflect all the honor and glory to God.

Maybe one of the most memorable examples of this was by National Football League quarterback Kurt Warner right after winning the Super Bowl in 2000.  Before answering the TV commentator’s questions about the victory, he said, “First things first. I have to give praise and glory to my Lord and Savior up above. Thank You, Jesus.”

In much the same way, the Apostle Peter responded to questions about the miracle he performed with the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple who could now walk (Acts 4:8-12).

Peter focused the attention of the assembled leaders and the elders not on the good deed he had done for the man, but rather that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean and that “there is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." Powerful words indeed.

What do we do when someone singles us out and praises us for a job well done?  Do we deflect the honor and recognition to our mentors, to our teammates at work?  Do we take all the credit for ourselves, or do we give the praise and glory to our Lord and Savior?

The best course of action is the latter, to not let pride come between us and God.  We need to humble ourselves and give the praise and glory to God.  Besides being right, it helps reinforce His constant presence in our lives and that His guiding hand is always on our shoulder, and that the good we’re trying to do each and every day in this world is not for our personal gain, but for the greater glory of His kingdom.

Truth be told, we may just be the stones that were rejected by the builders (Psalms 118:1-29); but, by our unselfish actions we can become the cornerstones of God’s church here on earth.