More of You and Less of Me
Back to my face-plant coming into the final yards of the 5K that I walked/ran/jogged on Saturday. Yesterday my blog included the beauty of the 18 of us taking on the Alamo Run to raise funds for the EMwomen Hope House. It was a complete success with many sponsors kicking off the efforts.
However, complete success doesn’t describe my “run” efforts. Mine wasn’t a pain-free, accident-free run. I cringe to think about it now, but, once again, Heaven sent me an SOS message (idea for a new blog) that I need to deliver today.
I thought of this add-on verse “Pride comes before the fall!” (Proverbs 16:18) And, it was pride…literally, for me! In our group of participants, some had never run or walked any kind of race. They were determined, tenacious and in it to win it, even though they might have been filled with angst “Three miles? Can I do this?”
But, jovial me, who has run many half marathons and 5Ks and a 10K, cheered them on with relentless, personal pride that I’ll get er’ done in a jiffy. Every single one of those newbies succeeded in their races without incident. But, this gal of much experience…..took a tumble and face-plant coming into the finish line. How’s that for “pride” coming, along with the fall?
PR-I-DE — see that middle letter in the word “pride” – I. See the middle letter in “sin” – I. The truth is I think I might have an “I” problem. I am fessing up. And, I am lifting my hands high to My Father above saying: “I surrender!”
I think the Apostle Paul wrote the handbook on pride. Seems he had to deal with pride himself when he gave us this scripture: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
Aw! “Humility” is the word for today! To be humble is to gratefully recognize our dependence on the Lord — to understand that we have constant need for His help. Humility is an acknowledgment that our health, our abilities, and our blessings are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear. it is an indication that we know where our true strength lies.
We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous. Jesus is our greatest example of humility. While on this earth, He repeated that His strength came because of His dependence on His Father. He said: “I can of mine own self do nothing. I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father Who has sent me” John 5:30.
I am being reminded to keep a watch out for those times when pride sneaks up on me and I get full of myself. “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God Who loves us too much to let us stay ‘full of ourselves’”. He rejoices in steering us to the Humble Pie laid out on the counter in Heaven’s kitchen. “Come on back to the kitchen, dear one! Try a taste of this one!”
Okay, I’ve confessed, and I’ve asked God to please let me know BEFORE He must bring out a slice of Humble Pie. I think I’ll do my best to avoid that dessert by pointing to Him Who deserves all the glory, honor, and praise! More of YOU, Lord, less of me!
“God humbles the proud, and the humble He honors.” Luke 18:14