Pride Begins With "I"

Have you ever tuned into the conversations you have with other people? Even the ones you have with yourself? And no, I'm not talking about 'hearing voices'. It's intriguing to me how many times we use the words "I", "Me", or "My" and go blissfully unaware of the lurking undertones of selfishness and pride.

I used to think that pride was as big as a boulder and, therefore, easy to detect. But I've come to learn that it's usually like a thin, translucent line stretched between two trees that trips you up as you walk along the path. If you get a little too distracted you'll never see it coming.

I won't kid you. I've gotten caught up in the thrill of success when a plan goes off without a hitch and I (even secretly) prompt others to see the role I played in making it happen. I've occasionally judged others under my breath with a sigh and disdainful shake of my head, thinking to myself, "I can't believe she..." I could go on and on with the I thinks, I feels and I knows, but you get my drift.

As I pondered this ugly habit and why it so easily creeps up on most of us, I was struck with the unmistakable kinship pride has with fear. Ultimately, when our automatic self-preservation kicks in, it s fear that usually flips the switch. Fear that we won't be recognized or respected. Fear that we'll lose something or someone. Fear that we won't get something we strongly desire or think that we need. Fear that we won't be found worthy of love and acceptance. Sometimes what we think we're missing is right there all along, but fear keeps us blind to it.

Don't be fooled! It's a trick. Satan fell for it eons ago when he started hungering for what he didn't even need. He was the greatest of all the angels in heaven; skillfully outfitted with unique qualities that were unparalleled. Yet, he created the biggest lie in his own magnificent mind, and it not only consumed him and a third of the angelic host, but it has sealed their doom. (See Isaiah 14:12-15).

I've asked the Holy Spirit to remind me that I, the creature, am not, and will never be or need to be, as great as the Creator. Humility is my friend and an effective gauge of my trust in the Lord. So I leave you with this: whenever your accomplishments or your personal ambitions begin to exalt the screenplay of your life to blockbuster status, remember... the sequel is a always a real downer.

Don't Let the "I"'s have it!

Greetings Sisters!

It's 2009. We've got ourselves a brand spankin' new African-American President, ya'll! It's a new season. Something big is on the horizon. Can you feel it? I can. And I'm just giddy with excitement about it all (excuse the "corny" in me, but I can't help it!)

But in the midst of all these changes, there's one thing we've got to avoid and that's letting the "I"'s have too much say. You know the "I"'s don't you? They are those prideful thoughts that lodge us into an attitude of fear and selfishness, and they keep tend to drown of the voice of the Holy Spirit at critical times when we need a fresh Word from the Father.

I sense that many of you, like myself, have a God-size dream on the inside of your heart just bursting to come alive. A dream that was sown into you a long time ago, and you've been in God's waiting room for quite some time now, just waiting to be released into destiny. Thats all good... but let me caution you - don't let YOU get in your way with how YOU FEEL, what YOU THINK, and WHAT YOU KNOW.

Take a tip from a once-fabulous heavenly angel's huge mistake:

Isaiah 14: 12 - 15

12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Satan fell prey to the worst sin of all and cheated himself out of the bright future he could have had with God: P-R-I-D-E

Don't be like him. Take stock of your thought life. If you find that most of the statements coming from your mouth lately are starting "I", it's time to back up and do a soul check up. Remember, we are NOT our own, but we were purchased with the high price of Jesus' precious blood. Girlfriend, your life is not your own. (And it's not your family's either!) It belongs to God. Plain and simple!

I leave you with this verse to meditate on until we chat again next time...

Proverbs 3: 5 - 8

5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.