I was out edging my driveway a while back with a flat-edge shovel. Being the perfectionist I am, I was disappointed with the first side because the edge of grass/driveway wasn’t perfectly straight. Learning from my mistakes when edging the first side, I was able to get the second side very straight. Standing back and observing my work, I began taking pride in my ability to edge the driveway in such a straight line using only this flat-edge shovel. Then it hit me: pride is a ridiculous thing. Here’s what I mean:
Everything I have is from God (James 1:17): He created me and gave me gifts, talents, passions, interests, and personality, not to mention wealth and opportunities as an American that many in the world don’t have. Look what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, “6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, 'Do not go beyond what is written.' Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (NIV). Because EVERYTHING I have is from God, it is absolutely insanely ridiculous for me to boast in anything I am or do. INSANELY RIDICULOUS!
So I can edge in a straight line. Who gave me arms and legs to do the work? Who gave me the ability to edge in a straight line? Who gave me the desire to edge in a straight line? Who gave me the driveway, grass, and shovel? GOD DID! And I want to take pride in something I did? Insanely ridiculous.
I know edging for most people is about as important and exciting as watching paint peel off an old weathered deck, but that’s not the point. The point is this: regardless of what we’re tempted to take pride in, whether it’s scoring the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl or being great in one’s occupation or being a 4.0 student, it’s insanely ridiculous to take pride in our accomplishments.
Furthermore, in taking pride in what we do, absent of giving glory to God, we’re actually attempting to steal God’s glory. That’s right. We’re actually attempting to STEAL GOD’S GLORY! This is even more insanely and heinously ridiculous! Think about it. When I’m taking pride in myself, I’m trying to glorify myself. I’m trying to attract attention to myself. I’m wanting others to notice me, look up to me, like me, respect me. I’m wanting others to have a bigger picture of me. Me, me, ME. When I’m in that state, it’s all about me.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” and answers “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” If I’m making part of my life all about me, I’m not glorifying God or enjoying him. I’m trying to enjoy myself and the attention I can garnish. One of my professors in college, Dr. J. E. Harvey Martin used to ask this question, “When you leave a room, do you leave people with a bigger picture of you or a bigger picture of God?” I’ve never forgotten that question.
Admittedly, I so often live in such a way that I might leave people with a bigger picture of me. I don’t want this. I want my life to glorify God and not myself. So the million-dollar question is this: “How do I live in such a way as to glorify God and not myself?”
Well, I think it begins with a realization that EVERYTHING I am and have is from God. Then that realization must be applied and internalized. I think it would be helpful for us to regularly thank God for what He has given, be it money, possessions, opportunities in life, talents, relationships, or spiritual gifts. When we receive praise for an accomplishment, we should immediately give God the credit. And certainly asking God for help in these matters and that God would develop our humility and give us a proper perspective on our own importance (see Romans 12:3). Finally, we needs to evaluate ourselves in comparison to God, not man (see Luke 18:9-14). Admittedly the above list is not comprehensive nor is it a formula but rather a few ideas that come to mind as I think about the solution to my pride.
May we all humble ourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift us up in due time (1 Peter 5:6).
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