We are a proud people. It’s only natural to feel good about our successful individual and corporate accomplishments.
Those accomplishments may not be long lived, so celebrating them makes good common sense. Frequently, I find myself using golf successes and misfortunes as an analogy.
There have been times in the past when I pulled off some miraculous golf shots on the course.
Sadly, before I had much time to bloat over my golfing prowess a flaw in my swing would lead to disappointment. A few fairly short putts barely missed would often add to my misery.
Golf is much like life. You never know what lies ahead.
In Proverbs 11:2 we read, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
One of our Father’s many ways to instruct His children is learning through our life experiences.
Often there’s a seasoned professional nearby to help us benefit from our fall. It’s good to have someone to pick us up and get us back on that proverbial bicycle.
It’s good to learn from our successes and failures.
In Galatians 6:4-5, the Apostle Paul addresses pride in an effective fashion in his letter to the Christians in Galatia:
“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.”
We can certainly take pride in being part of God’s Master Plan. Our goal is to sense His presence and recognize how we can be part of the miracle He’s about to show us in our life or the lives of others near us.
You see, folks, our Heavenly Father is always present and always working in the lives of those who truly love Him.
He knows our heart. He also allows us to pridefully go through life at times and then without any warning we find ourselves at His mercy reaching out for His hand to pull us out of the quagmire we’ve stepped into once again.
Perhaps you are experiencing such an episode as you read this.
What’s most important to understand is this: He’s had His eye on you all along. You may not think He does, but He does.
He knows exactly what you will experience (the highs and the lows) before it happens and awaits your call for help. Pride surely serves a purpose but humility often brings us into His loving arms.
After all, He sent His only Son, Christ Jesus, to die for our sins. My pride these days can only be found in how He sees fit to use me for His glory.
Come to Him with a heart of humility. To God be the glory!