 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
Pride "While he was still speaking these words, a voice called down from heaven, O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. That very same hour the prophecy was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society." (Daniel 4: 30-33). Nebuchadnezzar II ruled Babylonia from 605 to 562 b.c. He was the most powerful and longest reigning king of the Neo-Babylonian (625-539 b.c.) period. He brought the city of Babylon and the southern Mesopotamian state of Babylonia to the pinnacle of its power and prosperity. Yet, with one quick blow God brought him all the way down. If we ponder over the seven deadly sins most of us would have to admit that pride is not only the subtlest of them but is probably the one we most struggle with. From the beginning of time we find man on a journey to be like God and to strive for positions of influence and power, first with Satan, and then with the apostles. If we search deeply within our souls we find that the root of the search for power is pride. Humans are proud people who will not hesitate a second to allow the world to see just how great we are. When compared to Nebuchadnezzar we have peace that we will never be a king, nor will we ever build such great empire, and truthfully so. Yet the sin of pride is relevant to where we are in life. For most in the workplace pride sneaks in through a promotion, or a great sales job, or in daily numbers we have to meet. In our families pride may manifest itself through materialism. It is exemplified in the old adage: keeping up with the Jones. As humans we are proud of our achievements in the workplace, and in our homes. We are proud of our jobs, and our homes. We are proud of our children and of their academic and sports accolade. And, in all truth, we should be proud of these achievements. Therefore, if this is so where is the problem and where is the sin? The sin of pride is not in the fact that as humans we prosper or achieve great things. The sin lies in who gets the credit, and how we reveal those achievements to others. For people of faith it is good to let the world know that we prosper as we live a life above reproach, that our children are doing great in school, and perhaps that they are great athletes. The mystery lies in finding that thin line that takes pride from a manifestation of God's providence on our lives to a sinful boast about how great we think we are. To have a clear perspective where this line lies we must remain humble and seek God's daily guidance. Lord, help me to remain humble before you and others as I boast in YOU only! Meditation: Do you have a clear picture where that thin line lies? Jorge L. Valdes, Ph.D.
|