The Pride of Life
Hello and Good Morning!
I was thinking this morning of all the mistakes and or failures I have made in my 49 years, and most of them have some element of pride. Now I know that all of us deal with this virtue-less trait in some measure. But the veracity of it prompts us to look at it often so as not to consider it a part of our lives. With pride comes deception and the problem with pride and deception is that the individual does not know he is proud or deceived. Humility is the great virtue opposite to pride and it is a strong anecdote for both. But how to humble one's self is an interesting note for a later blog.
So what is pride? Is it the guy who swaggers through the room like he is propelling the room by his pronounced abilities and gifts? Is it the guy who considers everyone else beneath him? That is what we often associate it. And in the same measure we consider humility to be one who demeans, criticizes himself, and have a poor self-image. Both of these are false definitions or views.
I would tell you that pride is both of the above. Pride is both thinking to too high and or too low of oneself. It is thinking about self that sets it into pride. Regardless of which direction the thoughts of one’s self are, high or low, it is simply thinking of oneself that radiates and trumpets pride. In the same measure, humility is not thinking about oneself (but as I said, for another blog).
Christians often are the worst offenders with this pride. Because of their responsibility to seek after a sovereign God Who allows no other opponent or equal, those who come into His presence mustfirst acknowledge the same. Pride people do not live in His presence but they are humbled by it.
But more on general things - life usually is most pregnant with the concentration on one's own personal concerns and in this is the trip. Concern and care for others truly humbles one as it demands putting another's need before ours. When I am beginning to sense the ugly head of pride, the best thing for me to do is seek out needs of others and fill them.
I remember once back in time for me that I sought to work at a great camp. I thought that giving a summer up to helping teens get a clue of life was a generous act. I wanted to be a counselor to them. When I applied, the job I received was clean-up crew. Well this was not of my liking and proceeded to walk away. But having nothing else to do... I agreed. During that summer I truly learned. I washed toilets (even those stopped up with everything imaginable) clean others sickness on the floor, submit to collecting trash in the most bizarre places. All of it made me sick, stink, and wise to my lowliness. At the end of the summer I believe that I was ready to counsel teens from a heart of humiliation. The school of care is in the classroom of pathetic poverty of soul. Life of influence is lived from the bottom up not top down.
Hmm... I remember someone saying that 2000 years ago in a place of humiliation with 12 disciples that were more concerned with greatness and honor than being with One truly great. Pride is the denial of who we truly are and the deception of what we think we are. So go serve and be saved from the devil of pride. You will bless your days and delight your soul.
I was thinking this morning of all the mistakes and or failures I have made in my 49 years, and most of them have some element of pride. Now I know that all of us deal with this virtue-less trait in some measure. But the veracity of it prompts us to look at it often so as not to consider it a part of our lives. With pride comes deception and the problem with pride and deception is that the individual does not know he is proud or deceived. Humility is the great virtue opposite to pride and it is a strong anecdote for both. But how to humble one's self is an interesting note for a later blog.
So what is pride? Is it the guy who swaggers through the room like he is propelling the room by his pronounced abilities and gifts? Is it the guy who considers everyone else beneath him? That is what we often associate it. And in the same measure we consider humility to be one who demeans, criticizes himself, and have a poor self-image. Both of these are false definitions or views.
I would tell you that pride is both of the above. Pride is both thinking to too high and or too low of oneself. It is thinking about self that sets it into pride. Regardless of which direction the thoughts of one’s self are, high or low, it is simply thinking of oneself that radiates and trumpets pride. In the same measure, humility is not thinking about oneself (but as I said, for another blog).
Christians often are the worst offenders with this pride. Because of their responsibility to seek after a sovereign God Who allows no other opponent or equal, those who come into His presence mustfirst acknowledge the same. Pride people do not live in His presence but they are humbled by it.
But more on general things - life usually is most pregnant with the concentration on one's own personal concerns and in this is the trip. Concern and care for others truly humbles one as it demands putting another's need before ours. When I am beginning to sense the ugly head of pride, the best thing for me to do is seek out needs of others and fill them.
I remember once back in time for me that I sought to work at a great camp. I thought that giving a summer up to helping teens get a clue of life was a generous act. I wanted to be a counselor to them. When I applied, the job I received was clean-up crew. Well this was not of my liking and proceeded to walk away. But having nothing else to do... I agreed. During that summer I truly learned. I washed toilets (even those stopped up with everything imaginable) clean others sickness on the floor, submit to collecting trash in the most bizarre places. All of it made me sick, stink, and wise to my lowliness. At the end of the summer I believe that I was ready to counsel teens from a heart of humiliation. The school of care is in the classroom of pathetic poverty of soul. Life of influence is lived from the bottom up not top down.
Hmm... I remember someone saying that 2000 years ago in a place of humiliation with 12 disciples that were more concerned with greatness and honor than being with One truly great. Pride is the denial of who we truly are and the deception of what we think we are. So go serve and be saved from the devil of pride. You will bless your days and delight your soul.
Next time, one on humility. Why not send me your humble comments?
will
posted by ipastorwill at 9:42 AM
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