I wore my red suit and sat at the head table in the elegant conference room at the Coronado Springs Resort in Disney World. But rather than relish on the lovely setting or delight in the scrumptious food, my mind was distracted. As their keynote speaker for the evening, I was asking God for wisdom as I mentally rehearsed the beginning of my talk, the stories to follow, and the props I’d be using. At the end of my presentation, to my joy and God’s honor, someone told me the audience gave me a standing ovation (I wouldn’t know–drawbacks of being blind).
But this year, the story changed. I was invited as a guest. That meant no keynote message, no rehearsing, no tension. That’s why you see me in this picture, ready to dive into that delicious dessert–pure delight!
We all need to do that sometimes–look back at the past, to appreciate the now. I did that very thing again the other day.
I sighed thinking of how God ushered me from the place I was spiritually to where He brought me now.
I had been in a pitiful place. Back then, I held distorted beliefs–I placed faith in my religion, believed that rituals would bring me security, and man-made doctrines would guide my path.
Oh, friends, it gets better. I even embraced the foolish notion that my religion was better than other Christ-believing denominations. In doing so, I violated God’s Word in James 4:11-12.
That kind of ignorant notion combined with pride was what God calls, disgraceful and detestable. “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. When pride comes, then comes disgrace…” (Proverbs 16:5).
But as always, He provides an answer: “…but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2b).
If I were to give you a secret to happiness, fulfillment and profound joy, it’s in humility. If we humble ourselves enough to recognize that we’re no better than others, that we can do nothing on our own, and that without Jesus, we’re helpless in this dark world, then humility turns to gratitude–to recognize that through Christ and Him alone, we can achieve all, conquer the deepest fear, climb the highest mountains and defeat any giant that robs our peace.
Father, thank You for setting me free from destructive pride. And in that freedom I found the gift of humility–to rely on You, to lean on You and when facing dark moments, to receive from You triumph, peace and security. In Jesus’ name, amen.
• How do you define pride?
• Where or in whom do you place your faith?
• Have you found the joy of humility?
Janet Eckles
If this message resonated with you, please visit Janet’s cyberspace home for more inspiration.