I Was So Proud of Me

I remember one day, about eight years ago, standing on my porch with a group of friends.  We were talking about the "in" crowd, and I was proud to consider myself to be a part of that.  I felt like I belonged here and that I was in pretty good standing, society-wise.  Michael had a great job, we lived in a beautiful home, I was staying home with Caroline, I was on the board of a non-profit organization and a member of several other clubs. . .everything was going so smoothly.  In that moment, I can remember feeling that I had "arrived." 

One of my favorite scenes in the Bible is where Jesus is standing in front of Pontius Pilate. 

"Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid;  and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer.  So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me?  Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify you?"  Matthew 19:8-10

Amazing, isn't it?  The power we think we possess. The authority we think we possess.  The way we believe that all the things in our life are somehow of our own doing. 

"You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above."  Matthew 19:11

It is so like Jesus, isn't it?  To hit him with the answer right between the eyes.  "Umm, all that power you think you possess, Pilate, it comes straight from Me." 

And that is where pride starts to seep in.  When I think it is MY doing and MY power that has put me where I am. 

And then, I remember:

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  Proverbs 16:18

And oh, how great, the fall that was to ensue. 





This is my story. . .