Put In Place

I was put in my place recently. My passion gave way and exposed my pride, and the stark revelation led to a sinking & sickening feeling of, "How many times have people felt this same way?" ... Which in some way might be pride as well.

So, I got to sharing some of my thoughts on Christian missions, which exist because Christ Jesus is not known in all the world - YET! He does not receive worship from all those He has called to be in relationship with Him. My opinions concerning missions are just that - opinions - not facts ... and although I don't like it, they are not necessarily right either. Furthermore, the actual out-working of missions can have numerous facets and variations to answering the "How?"

So, when I blurted out, "MISSIONS IS .... " followed by my adamant declaration thereof, well basically I alienated myself from the group I was hanging out with. But hey, I had made my point, and that was all that had mattered! I let them all know how much I know about missions! I totally impressed them with my grasp of such a complex subject! ... Not so much.

On the contrary, I found the true nature of the opinions had been revealed ... stemming from my on pride. One of the folks I was with commented on my statements and it hit me, like a baseball bat to the side of my face .... It doesn't hurt so much here or here, but right here. The statement was simple, truthful, and gentle, "All I know is I have lots to learn and when I think about missions I am humbled before God." BAM! Death blow.

I left the restaurant thinking, "How many times have people felt this same way?" I felt so much I took delight (pride) in had just crumpled before me, revealing a skeleton of conceitedness. I left with questions for God, with confession to God. That one statement had fleshed out so much heart searching and confession, and revealed some sickening degree of pride within my being. Not cool.

Anyway, this is a story of redemption, because as I made my way back to this person a week later, the response was one of over-flowing grace and humility. The body of Christ is indeed a glorious community!

**NEWS FLASH**

THIS JUST IN...

PRIDE ... its a sneaky bastard! (my thoughts)

PRIDE ... it a son of a bitch! (my friend's thoughts, and I agree!)

The conversation I had with my friend today began with a comment I made about a prayer I prayed. I have been reading in 1 Corinthians 1 & 2 for the last week or so ... and the biggest billboard type thing I am chewing the cud on is, let him who boasts, boast in the Lord ... this is obviously a good thing to do!

However, when I praying over this - that it be something inherent within my being to boast only in the Lord - I realized I was praying that initially in pride. I prayed in pride asking God that I only boast in him ... but what I meant was, "God make me to boast only in you ... so that those who view me as a godly example will further uphold the grandiose view of me that they have, that I am a super christian with all my priorities correct and in line as they should be. Help me to boast only in you so that others might glorify me!!!" - that is what I meant!

That is why I stated above that pride is one sneaky little bastard. It is so deceptive and conniving ... I hate it. And the Enemy uses pride &/or the guilt there associated to condemn me. Even writing this, I feel condemned for writing about how much I hate pride ... as though my hatred for pride is something in and of itself to be prideful about ... AND THATS SIMPLY ABSURD!!!

But also pride in somethings is good, to a certain degree. We should take pride in our work, to do it our best to the Lord's honor, we need to take pride in and care of all our oh so numerous material blessings being good stewards of what has so graciously been given us by the hand of God, but even these forms of pride become stumbling blocks to us, when that pride becomes misplaced and seeks MY glory, for it to be all about ME, MYSELF, and I!!! Rather than on God.




I hope to maybe edit this post with some more legitimate thoughts later. Yet, for the time being, ponder the previous two thoughts.

MISTAKEN

mistaken, misdirected, and ignored,

he saw and turned, blushed then poured.

he poured until it was built, complete,

pride flowed with none to compete.

how does it happen?

from where does it sneak?

oh how mistaken?!

he made it what its not,

deception was his lot.

he hoped an illusion,

an empty dream his conclusion.

is the pride so sly?

is the man so blind?

oh how mistaken?!

an idol born,

with innocence sworn.

a dream; no a passion, a desire,

how deep, thick the mire!

must i remain?

will You forgive?

i was so mistaken!

his way is waning,

and heart is fainting.

You must draw near,

come close, come cheer!

You do forgive!

he is so blind, so mistaken

but You do heal!