When I began coaching, I had some interesting experiences with public encounters. The first few weeks, it was relatively uneventful, but following some success people started to greet me and seek me out in public, often just to say, “Hey!” Initially, it was an exhilarating experience to be seen as our natural human inclinations want to be in the spotlight.

But eventually, as I became more familiar I had these enjoyable encounters and I started to have some poor encounters with rival fans and parents who did not like my coaching methods. The spotlight quickly became old. It was in this aging of the spotlight, that I was able to reflect on the curious case of why I ever enjoyed it at all!

If someone recognized me before I began coaching for some obscure reason, I would often reply, “Oh, I am nobody special. But thank you.” But to be recognized as someone with achievement pandered to the fleshly desires and pride that previously I was able to repress. But it was a little of the flesh, drove me back to centering my mind to where it needs to be.

Instead of basking in the spotlight, I need to be a mirror for the spotlight, shining all glory for any occasion back to God.

God created us for His glory, but even in being the infinitely Holiest being to exist, still humbled Himself to the form of a servant and died a sinner’s death so that we can share in the righteousness of victory over the grave (Isaiah 43:7). Philippians 2:1-11 details the entire narrative briefly,

2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Let those words echo inside of you, as they dealt mightily with me. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” In moments potential of self-gratification, stop, examine, and ask, “Is my mind reflecting the mind of Christ who humbled Himself for me?” If not, seek what this mind looked like through prayerful reading and thoughts of gratitude.

As a result, you can walk gracefully with a mind of grace and peace.