Former Alabama QB Jalen Hurts (left) with Tua Tagovailoa, Jan. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” — 1 Peter 5:6
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Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa are both NFL quarterbacks these days, but years ago, they were teammates at Alabama. It was Hurts who led the Crimson Tide to the national title game against Georgia in January 2018, yet after a difficult first half, he was benched in favor of Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa sparked a spectacular comeback and overtime victory, and he suddenly became the media’s darling. Hurts, meanwhile, was nothing but supportive. He was famously one of the first teammates to embrace Tagovailoa after his iconic game-winning touchdown pass.
Hurts’ support continued next season, even when Tagovailoa won the starting job over him. Hurts accepted his reduced role, helped Tagovailoa however he could, and told reporters that “my job is to be the best quarterback I can be, and that’s what I strive to do every day.”
When the 2018 SEC Championship Game rolled around, Alabama faced Georgia again, and this time, it was Hurts’ turn to shine. He stepped in to replace an injured Tagovailoa down by seven in the fourth quarter, engineered two consecutive touchdown drives, and Alabama won, 35-28. Hurts’ maturity and humility were widely lauded by sports pundits the next day, and for years to come.
Hurts’ story is a prime example of the apostle Peter’s exhortation, and God’s instruction, to a group of churches in 1 Peter. In the context of walking with humility toward all, Peter writes that God often exhibits a special kindness toward those who humbly accept the story He orchestrates in their lives. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,” Peter concludes, “that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).
This in no way means that God “owes” humble people something. Rather, it simply means that humility is pleasing to God when we approach Him and others with a humble disposition. We shouldn’t be humble just to get something; that isn’t humility at all. However, the passage is a promise that our humility won’t go unnoticed.
Hurts was disappointed that he wasn’t getting to play at Alabama in 2018. Perhaps even frustrated. Yet he conducted himself with humility, and God smiled his direction in the SEC Championship Game.
Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation on the field, in the gym, or in your office at work. You’re frustrated. Embarrassed. Stuck. Let those feelings lead you deeper into humility with those around you. Obedience to God never guarantees changed circumstances, and things might even get worse. But, obedience to God is always the right answer.
What is guaranteed when you walk with humility is that you will please God. In His perfect timing and in His perfect ways, He will smile in your direction too.
— Kevin Mercer
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