Hogging the Limelight — A LifeWords Devotion

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (NIV)

In the early days of theatre, when lighting the stage was a challenge, lime was burnt in a container on the stage. This led to bright lighting so those on the stage could be clearly seen. Hence, when we speak of being in the limelight we are referring to someone at centre stage in proceedings.

Paul reminds us here not to hog the limelight. Don’t see yourself as number one. The world does not revolve around you. Others do not exist to serve your narrow interests. Your concerns are not the only concerns or even the primary concerns.

This doesn’t mean we don’t matter: it just means we don’t matter most. We don’t attain proper humility by wallowing in a pit of self-loathing. Humility doesn’t mean putting ourselves down, it means acknowledging the rights and needs of others as well as our own rights and needs. Humility is not about our having an inferiority complex. It is not as if I am inferior to others, rather I am to serve others.

In my own life story, I play a part but I also value the parts that others play. I help them play their parts. I am on stage but not centre stage. I do not hog the limelight.

Blessings
David