Pride!

August 3, 2023

Pride!

I did due diligence with my internet research.  I watched three or four videos that told me exactly how to complete my project and with the promise of an amazing result.

I gathered my tools, my materials (after three trips to Lowes and two trips to Home Depot!), and proceeded with a great deal of confidence to the gate leading into our back yard.  My goal was to take the sag out of the gate. 

I installed one cable extending diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner and then tightened the turnbuckle.  After the first cable was installed, I proceeded with the second cable by attaching it to the top right corner and bottom left corner. 

I checked everything and tightened the turnbuckles again.  I was so proud of the job I had done! 

Then, we had several days of rain in June.  The rain made the wood gate more pliable.  In about three weeks, I no longer had a sagging gate.  Instead, I had a gate in which each of the four corners were pulled in while the center was pushed out the other way.

Well…so much for internet wisdom and the experts making all those how-to videos.  Of course, my lack of knowledge was probably a big factor, too.

While a construction person was looking at some hail damage, I asked if he had any advice about our wood gate.  The first thing he said was, “Take off both of your cables; they are fighting against one another and they will not fix the sag.” 

He went on to describe the “fix.”  I swallowed my pride and then asked if he was able to repair the gate while he was repairing the hail damage on our house.  He said it would take one hour at a rate of $75 an hour.  I quickly responded; “Let’s plan on you fixing the gate!”

Only after Jesus helped me to get my pride out of the way could I admit my failure to fix the sagging gate and ask for help.

Pride is a funny thing.  Pride can grow as quickly as a Nebraska sandhills grass fire ignited by lightning and fueled by drought conditions and a strong wind.  I was reminded that pride impacts my life and the lives of others in ways I cannot imagine.

Pride means I don’t listen well to others or to Jesus.

Pride means I take credit for something not entirely of my doing.

Pride means I am putting myself in God’s place.

Pride means I am not open to learning from others or from Jesus.

Pride means I cannot face my flaws and failures and foibles.

Pride means I will create distance in my most important relationships.

When I allow pride to take up residency in my heart, mind, and soul, it quickly begins to destroy the good that God has grown in me.  King Solomon learned the destructive nature of pride in a dramatic way.  As Solomon allowed pride to reside in him, he began to suffer from mental illness.

Solomon recorded some of the lessons he learned about pride in the book of Proverbs.  Here are two examples of what he learned.

“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  (Proverbs 16:18)

“A person’s pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”  (Proverbs 29:23)

Pride leads to destruction of that which we value most (including our relationships).  Pride leads to the kind of fall that ends in failure and defeat.  Pride leads to a humiliation which steals away the honor for which we had hoped.

Pride begins in small ways and in small things; i.e., like cables installed on a sagging gate.  Pride grows quietly and quickly until it consumes our perspective, our future possibilities, our growing trust in Jesus. 

In contrast, a humble heart and a teachable spirit will be rewarded by the Lord God with honor and peace and joy.  And these qualities will lead to a heart that gives credit to Jesus and takes delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug