I think I've mentioned more than once my Mom's opinion that if you hear the same thing (whether it be via sermon, friend's conversation, personal devotions, what-have-ye), then God's clearly trying to tell you something. And that my friends, is a little scary.
Many years ago while finishing up my associate's degree at Wake Tech, I had to take a portfolio class. For pieces in our portfolio, we were supposed to actually design and print items for a company, whether it be as a real job or on a volunteer basis. During this time frame, someone from a non-profit organization spoke in the church I was attending. They were on a very tight budget, and had this hand-out that was extremely boring and not cheap to produce. I took it home, modified it, updated its look, and at the next meeting where I knew the leader of that organization would be, I took him a printed sample, along with the file on CD in case he wanted to use it. I explained to him what my job was and the project. He seemed offended, and a pastor friend of ours who was standing next to him kind of snorted, rolled his eyes, and said, "Don't you just hate people like that?"
I never meant to offend, I was trying to help, hoping to use my talents to assist in advancing "kingdom work", but in their eyes I was arrogantly stating the work they had done was not good enough.
This past week someone shared with me a similar story, only this person was on the opposite side of the fence. I couldn't help but think back to my earlier situation. The reality is, I was so focused on doing a good job and being helpful that I lost sight of the people in the position. And sadly, I've done that on many occasions. It all boils down to pride. But on the other side of the coin, there has to be an equal amount of arrogance on the receiving end for a person to think they have it so together that they cannot benefit from suggestions or assistance. I think of David when he desired to defend the name of the Lord from Goliath's attacks. He listened to Saul, accepted his offer of his personal armor, even tried it on, BEFORE he decided it wouldn't work.
I have to confess that I prefer to try things my way before I'll give something else a try. Don't believe me? Just ask my husband what it's like when I'm trying to work on his wheelchair and we have different viewpoints (both literally and figuratively, haha) and ideas on how it should be repaired.
I will probably struggle with the sins of pride and selfishness until the day I am freed from this sin-cursed body. I like to think that the day I die there will be significantly less of both of those sins in my thoughts and actions. But in the meantime, it's the war of the flesh, as the Apostle Paul aptly phrased it.
So if you hear another sermon, ladies' devotional, Wednesday night Bible study or personal conversation on the topic of pride in the church, I might be to blame.
Many years ago while finishing up my associate's degree at Wake Tech, I had to take a portfolio class. For pieces in our portfolio, we were supposed to actually design and print items for a company, whether it be as a real job or on a volunteer basis. During this time frame, someone from a non-profit organization spoke in the church I was attending. They were on a very tight budget, and had this hand-out that was extremely boring and not cheap to produce. I took it home, modified it, updated its look, and at the next meeting where I knew the leader of that organization would be, I took him a printed sample, along with the file on CD in case he wanted to use it. I explained to him what my job was and the project. He seemed offended, and a pastor friend of ours who was standing next to him kind of snorted, rolled his eyes, and said, "Don't you just hate people like that?"
I never meant to offend, I was trying to help, hoping to use my talents to assist in advancing "kingdom work", but in their eyes I was arrogantly stating the work they had done was not good enough.
This past week someone shared with me a similar story, only this person was on the opposite side of the fence. I couldn't help but think back to my earlier situation. The reality is, I was so focused on doing a good job and being helpful that I lost sight of the people in the position. And sadly, I've done that on many occasions. It all boils down to pride. But on the other side of the coin, there has to be an equal amount of arrogance on the receiving end for a person to think they have it so together that they cannot benefit from suggestions or assistance. I think of David when he desired to defend the name of the Lord from Goliath's attacks. He listened to Saul, accepted his offer of his personal armor, even tried it on, BEFORE he decided it wouldn't work.
I have to confess that I prefer to try things my way before I'll give something else a try. Don't believe me? Just ask my husband what it's like when I'm trying to work on his wheelchair and we have different viewpoints (both literally and figuratively, haha) and ideas on how it should be repaired.
I will probably struggle with the sins of pride and selfishness until the day I am freed from this sin-cursed body. I like to think that the day I die there will be significantly less of both of those sins in my thoughts and actions. But in the meantime, it's the war of the flesh, as the Apostle Paul aptly phrased it.
So if you hear another sermon, ladies' devotional, Wednesday night Bible study or personal conversation on the topic of pride in the church, I might be to blame.
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