Do ever get caught up in your own pride? It's easy to do in a wildly arrogant and self-centered world like ours. Each of us possess the power to succeed. The prideful moments that plague all of us sneak in and rob us of really acknowledging who is in control of our destiny.
Recently, I watched a scene play out that I admit…… left me feeling a little resentful. Although, I wasn't personally affected….I allowed my arrogance to dance around in my own thoughts and before too long I was feeling that ugly emotion of puffy importance.
Trust me. I'm not important in the way I was basking.
As I read the book of Obadiah this morning….. I had one of those gotcha moments. The kind I really needed. God reminded me that just because trouble wasn't knocking on my door, didn't mean that I was immune from downfall.
Everybody knows….. pride goes before the fall, right?
So often, we find ourselves looking at someone else's folly with a heart that says, " glad it's them and not me!". Or even a vengeful wish of, "I hope they get what's coming!". Both ways of thinking remind me of the message in Obadiah.
Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars,from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord. (Obadiah 1:4, NIV)
My puffy arrogance isn't the holy heart condition my Loving God wants from me.
It didn't take long for my wicked attitude to catch the attention of the Holy Spirit. I immediately felt regret for my rotten way of seeing things. It's not my job to be the better person (in my own head). It's my job to love with a heart like God's. He doesn't need my snarly unforgiveness or my Holier than thou attitude.
He needs my willingness to love even the most flawed person around me because there are days. ….. I am more broken and wicked than any I might want to judge.
God,
You remind me that I'm my own puffy prideful person and I'm so thankful that you pull me back to you with love and mercy!
Amen