The most remarkable and effective leaders of all time exercise two influential attributes — gratitude and bragitude. Now no one appreciates being around anyone who “toots their own horn” bragging over themselves, but bragitude carries a meaning I will soon explain. The online dictionary defines gratitude as “the quality of being thankful, and a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” Abby Wambach explains bragitude best.
“Abby Wamback, a gold medalist soccer player and FIFA World Cup Champion, speaks about something soccer taught her called “Point and Run.” She explains that every time she scored a goal, the first thing she would do is point to the person who made the assist or the coach who called the play. The team run celebrated another person’s victory. In her words, she says, ‘You will not always be the goal scorer. When you are not, you better be rushing toward her.’ “
Gratitude and bragitude is the ability to appreciate those who promote you and help you to succeed, giving them credit for your successes.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
May we never forget that every measure of success we achieve comes from the support of others.
First John
John the Baptist had only one mission and purpose — to prepare people to receive Jesus Christ. His miraculous birth demonstrated God’s divine plan and call on his life. His father’s blessing declared, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him“ (Luke 1:76).
When people tried to put John on a pedestal of fame, he refused.
“John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
John 1:23
He consistently guided people to repentance, turning from their sins toward God. Those who listened and responded to John, also listened and responded to Jesus. Even when John’s own disciples complained that so many people were beginning to follow Jesus, John’s simple response was, “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8).
The ultimate gratitude and bragitude came as John declared of Jesus,
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30
We all need to be grounded and ready to promote others, even when it means our influence will diminish. Gratitude and bragitude give praise to others and glory to God.
Point and Run
The concept of point and run began long before Abby Wambach. After Jesus’ ministry exploded and John was beheaded for his radical message, Jesus pointed back to John as the main reason for His success.
“ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.“
Matthew 11:11
Think of all the biblical greats Jesus could have included here. What about Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel or any of the many heroes of the faith? No! None!
Jesus may have been scoring every inconceivable spiritual goal, but He turned and pointed to John. “There is no one greater. There has never been anyone greater.”
What a beautiful circle of love and respect — of gratitude and bragitude.
As a matter of fact, Jesus refused to even begin His mission on earth without first being baptized by John.
“ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”
Matthew 3:16
All those who rejected John’s ministry could not and would accept Jesus either (Luke 7:30).
Carry It Forward
“Jesus also never pursued human accolades. His life amplified the humility John carried, clearly demonstrating the “point and run” principle to His disciples. When people stood in amazement over Jesus’ miracles, He simply pointed to the Father and ran His race in obedience. His team of disciples closely followed His example.
“Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
John 5:19
So, when the disciples continued the ministry, they, too, followed Jesus’ example. They took no credit for the miracles the Holy Spirit performed through them. They grabbed every opportunity to point and run — sharing the victories they experienced because of Jesus’ triumph through His death and resurrection.
And so, it has carried on through the generations. With gratitude and bragitude, we do the same, not claiming anything for our own glory but making sure it all goes to the Lord and those who have helped us along the way. What joy to be grateful for those who have taught, equipped, and opened opportunities for us to succeed — then turning and sharing the triumph together.
Though few of us reading this blog play soccer, we daily have the ability to point and run. May we make it a common practice to lift up those around us through gratitude and bragitude.
*****