Paul when describing his merits prior to knowing Christ in Philippians 3:4-11, writes in verse 8, "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ".

Paul illustrates this point so clearly in 1 Corinthians 1:25-29, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence." In Jeremiah 9:23-24, it says, "Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord." Notice in 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, though Paul was highly intelligent, he writes, "I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of the power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

So we must all ask ourselves what we trust in and how we view the gifts that God has given us. Though the world likes to elevate the beautiful, the strong, the intelligent, the powerful, etc, all these gifts are nothing if not used for God. In fact if anyone relies on these gifts, they wind up being stumbling blocks rather than gifts. Pride blinds everyone. So while those in the world seek to become famous, be noticed, to rise to a position which will be honored by all, this is not the vessel that can be used by God. Whatever we have been given by God in order to serve Him, may we all empty ourselves of all that holds us back and keep our eyes and our focus on Jesus, so that we all use our gifts for His glory.