John Wooden was the first person ever to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, both as a player and as a coach. He won ten NCAA championships in 12 years. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is given to those who have made significant contributions to the United States. All his accomplishments might have led him to be arrogant. Instead, John Wooden, in one of his most famous quotes, shares the wisdom he had:
Fame is man-given. Be grateful.
Talent is God-given. Be humble.
“A person’s pride will humiliate him, but a humble spirit gains honor” (Proverbs 29:23).
“Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him” (Romans 12:1).
Fame is man-given. Be grateful.
“The person who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored” (Matthew 23:11,12).
Conceit is self-given. Be careful.
“A conceited look and an arrogant attitude, which are the lamps of wicked people, are sins” (Proverbs 21:4).
“Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
As you dream big about the ways God might use you, be humble, be grateful, be careful.
