“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership lately. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to lead some pretty amazing things, both at work and in serving the Church. But with that comes some difficult decisions, and sometimes doing what I believe is right isn’t necessarily what everyone wants.

Yesterday was one of those days.

I had to stand firm on something I believed in my heart that I was right, even though it would have been much easier to go along with the flow. And I thank God for giving me the courage to do that.

But looking back this morning, I also realized something. Just because I believe I’m doing the right thing doesn’t mean I’m doing it the right way. I probably could have been more compassionate.

That brings me back to today’s Gospel and what Jesus teaches about humility.

Humility doesn’t mean avoiding difficult decisions or trying to make everyone happy. Sometimes loving people means telling them something they don’t want to hear. But I also have to be careful that my pride doesn’t get mixed up in it. Am I truly serving those entrusted to me, or am I trying to prove that I’m right?

Then there’s today’s Psalm:

“My soul is thirsting for the living God.”

I love that image. A man in the desert doesn’t just occasionally think about water. He thirsts for it. He needs it.

That’s how I need to seek Christ. Not just when I’m praying in the morning, that is not thirsting but throughout the day, especially when I’m making decisions that affect other people.

And that brings me to something Paul says in today’s first reading about his work being fruitful labor.

I want my labor to be fruitful too. Not just successful by the world’s standards, but fruitful for Christ. And that means I need to lead the way He taught us, by serving others. Sometimes with tough love, sometimes with compassion, but always with love.

So my prayer today is this.

Lord, thank You for the courage to stand up for what I believe is right. But please give me the humility to recognize when I’m wrong and the compassion to love those who disagree with me. Help me detach from my pride, my desire to be liked, and even my need to be right. Teach me to serve as You served, so that my labor may bear fruit for You.

When you face a difficult decision, are you seeking Christ’s will or simply trusting your own judgment?

I pray you get the graces you need today.

Keep up the good fight.

I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.

Scripture: Philippians 1:18b–26 | Psalm 42:2, 3, 5cdef | Luke 14:1, 7–11