March 24| Based on Matthew 18:4| Rediscovering Greatness through Surrender
š Matthew 18:4
āWhoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
š Have You Ever Taken Pride in Something Others Admired, Only to Discover Later That Pride Had Quietly Warped Your Perspective? š
Pride doesnāt always roar. Sometimes it whispers through compliments and hides beneath politeness. It can look like humility on the outside while subtly hoarding recognition on the inside.
Jesus disrupts our typical metrics of success when He declares in Matthew 18:4: "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
A child? Not a preacher? Not a leader? Not even a seasoned disciple?
In todayās devotional, I want to walk you through a personal story from my childhood that shaped decades of my lifeāand how, only recently, Iāve started to see it through the lens of Godās definition of greatness.
š Body: A Journey Through Pride and Redemption š
š 1. A Childhood Trick That Sparked a Lifelong Trajectory
At six years old, I was captivated by a friendās magic trick. I couldnāt rest until Iād mastered it. When I successfully performed it for my dad and saw the amazement in his eyes, something shifted inside me.
Thereās something intoxicating about knowing something others donāt. It felt empowering. That moment launched what would become a lifelong pursuit of performance, skill, and stagecraft.
What began as innocent curiosity slowly became the foundation of my identity. š©
š 2. Affirmation Turned Addiction
As I honed my skills and built a career, the applause grew louder. So did my inner dependence on it.
People praised my creativity, my stage presence, my ability to connect. And I began to internalize those affirmations as evidence that I was inherently exceptional.
Itās dangerously easy to confuse external charisma with internal character.
Outwardly, I maintained a demeanor of humilityāalways gracious in receiving compliments. But inwardly, I accepted every word as validation of my own worth. š
š 3. The Subtlety of Performative Humility
Itās uncomfortable to admit now, but my humility wasnāt genuine. It was rehearsed.
Jesusā words in Matthew 18:4 cut to the heart: "Whoever humbles himself like this child..."ānot pretends, not performsābut is truly dependent, the way a child knows their limitations and asks for help.
Children donāt manufacture humility. They simply are humble, because they know they need others.
In contrast, I had woven pride into my identity through polished performance and rehearsed charm. š¬
āØ 4. Realizing the True Source of My Gifting
In the last few years, God has graciously confronted me with a deeper truth:
Any creative skill, any stage confidence, any connection I forge with an audienceānone of it originates from me. Itās all a gift. Itās been entrusted, not earned.
Thereās a sobering danger here: you can use a God-given gift for self-promotion and still be celebrated for it.
But deep in your soul, the applause begins to ring hollow if it replaces Godās approval.
For a long time, I claimed to be performing "for God," but my internal compass was still oriented toward self. š
āŖ 5. The Kingdom Principle: Greatness Through Dependence
When Jesus says the greatest in the Kingdom is like a child, Heās not calling us to naĆÆvetĆ©āHeās calling us to trust, surrender, and honest dependence.
Not polish. Not prestige. Not personal branding.
Heās saying: Lay it down. Stop performing. Come as you are.
True greatness isnāt found under spotlights. Itās forged in the quiet spaces of surrender. Itās found at the feet of Jesus, where status has no currency.
Today, Iām still dismantling decades-old habits of pride and self-reliance. Iām actively learning to wear the armor of God dailyāto resist old narratives and embrace new dependence.
And now? I want everything I do to reflect His glory, not mine.
Every show. Every video. Every breath. š
š¼ A Call to Redefine Greatness š¼
Maybe youāve felt that subtle pull of pride beneath a veneer of humility. Maybe, like me, youāve confused public praise with spiritual approval.
Youāre not alone.
But hereās the good news: Jesus doesnāt call the most polished or applauded to be greatest. He calls the most dependent.
Letās return to childlike faith. Letās trade applause for alignment. Letās redefine greatnessānot by how high we stand, but by how low weāre willing to kneel. š
If this resonates with you, send it to someone wrestling with the same quiet tension.
And Iād love to invite you to join our 30-day prayer challengeāwhere weāll press deeper into Scripture, connect with God in a real way, and build a sustainable rhythm of faith. Click the link below to grab your free FaithLabz devotional and begin today. Looking forward to seeing you inside!
Once again, Iām Adam Wilber, and as always my friendā¦ Onward. š
š¬ Inspiring Quote š¬
š¬ļø "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:4
This verse challenges us to rethink what greatness truly means. Itās not about performance or applauseāitās about dependence on God, just like a child. Let this truth guide your heart today! š
šæ Reflection & Call to Action šæ
Take a moment to reflect: Where might pride be hiding in your life? Are you seeking applause over alignment with Godās will? š§
Challenge yourself this week to identify one area where you can surrender control and embrace childlike dependence on God. Maybe itās letting go of the need for recognition, or trusting Him with a situation youāve been trying to manage on your own.
Here are a few action steps to get started:
Spend 5 minutes in prayer, asking God to reveal any hidden pride in your heart. š
Practice gratitude by thanking God for a specific gift or talent Heās given you, and commit to using it for His glory. š
Share this devotional with a friend who might need encouragement to let go of pride and embrace dependence on God. š«
Letās walk this journey together, reflecting Godās glory in all we do! š
š Prayer & Meditation š
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that true greatness comes through dependence on You, not through my own efforts or the applause of others.
Forgive me for the times Iāve let pride creep in, seeking validation from the world instead of from You. Help me to embrace the humility of a child, trusting You fully and surrendering my need for recognition.
Guide me to use the gifts Youāve entrusted to me for Your glory alone. Let every step I take reflect Your love and grace.
In Jesusā name, Amen. āØ
An Invitation to go Deeperā¦.
If todayās message spoke to you, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and strengthen your connection with Godās unshakable love. You are never aloneāletās grow together!
