Devotional: I Am Third

Philippians 2:1-4

“I Am Third” is the title of a book written by Hall of Fame football legend Gale Sayers with Al Silverman. Written in 1970, it inspired the movie Brain’s Song. It is an autobiography of Sayers’ life in the ghetto of Omaha, Nebraska. He struggled to become the greatest running back in history. He played at the University of Kansas, and he was drafted by the Chicago Bears of the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL in 1965.

In Chicago Sayers meets Brian Piccolo a running back from Wake Forrest who died of cancer. Their friendship blossomed in the 1960s in spite of the racial tensions in America. The two had an expression: “The Lord is first, my friends are second, and I am third.” Through their friendship and their sharing of the trials in each other lives they learned to put God first in their life. This enabled them to put the interest of their friends before their own interest.

The Christians at Philippi were a generous people. They had looked out for the apostle’s welfare. They sent him financial assistance even though they had their own needs, and they had very little to offer (4:14-19). However, it seems that there was conflict in the church; possibly brought about by the differences between two leading women (4:2-4). Paul urged the church to live in harmony by making God first (2:1-2), the other members second (2:3-4), and themselves third.

Christ Jesus has given us the example to follow. His attitude was to do the will of the God. He did not allow His divinity to keep him from becoming a servant. He humbled Himself and died on the cross. Here is the good news. He was obedient to God, and God exalted Him. When we put others before our selves we mutually meet each other’s needs. God blesses us so that we can do more and receive more.