Look at this unusual coin.  Both sides have been imprinted with a face on each side – the same face!  How strange.  But with a critical eye, a wise person is able to discern a very minute defect on one side.  Once the flaw is detected, it is easy to know what to look for, but even then it is hard to see.

That old friend of the English language, Noah Webster, determined that PRIDE has the following meanings:

pride   1 Quality or state of being proud; specif.: a Inordinate self-esteem; conceit.  b Lofty self-respect; a reasonable delight in one’s position, achievements, possessions, etc.  2 Proud behavior or treatment; insolence;
arrogance; disdain & so on…

When we hear the word pride, it usually has a negative connotation, but we might also look at Genesis 1:10 to gain another perspective:

    “And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very
    good.  And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

On that basis, I think that is possible for an individual to have humble self-satisfaction (pride) in things that they have been able to accomplish without feeling superior to someone else.  I know in my own case, I am sometime amazed that I have been able to accomplish something that I didn’t think myself capable of.  If we didn’t keep trying, we would accomplish virtually nothing.  Failure is central in all our lives.  Think about it.  If we didn’t keep trying, we would never have learned to crawl, walk, tie our shoes, or master the knife, fork and spoon.  We continually break through what seems to be the impossible at the beginning, to master the skills needed in life.  Christ said, “Seek Me.”  Even that takes diligence and effort.  From struggling to balance ourselves in a crawl position, many of us finally achieve a degree of professionalism in our varied fields.  Is not a little self satisfaction acceptable?  If we venture across the line and start comparing our accomplishments with those of any other individual we are in danger of having detrimental pride.  Why in our right mind would we ever compare ourselves, with pride, or envy, against someone else?  Haven’t we yet learned that they are unique, one-of-a-kind creation of God and that there never has been, nor will there ever be another person like them?  We are from the same source; created by God in a unique manner, with unique qualities, talents, appearance, etc. and there will be no duplication – ever!  Why then, do we compare apples with oranges?  In this regard, we should determine what our talents and abilities are, develop them, find true happiness in that realm, and thank God for the manner in which he has equipped us. 

That flaw on one of the faces of PRIDE is so subtle we must ever be on guard or we will accept it as the genuine imprint.

I started to work at a very early age and took pride in being able to “pay a portion of my own way” on some of my necessities.  I didn’t have to participate in the purchase of some of my school clothes – I just wanted to.  It felt good to accept some of this responsibility.  I took pride in assuming a small part of adult responsibility.  Don’t get me wrong – I was far from self sufficient.

Prior to turning age 21, my dad co-signed two notes to enable me to buy my first and second automobiles.  I honored his confidence in me, and paid off both notes on time.  Later, shortly after I became married, my dad loaned Beth and me a down payment on a new little FHA home so that we could stop wasting rent money, and start building equity in a property.  I’ll have to admit, I was slower than I should have been in repaying him, but we did repay him in full.

As my brother and sister became adults and married, I know that my dad helped them financially with some of their needs and felt guilty about not having the opportunity to treat me equally.  (Now, if you are observant, you will detect PRIDE creeping into my world.)  Inwardly, I took pride in the fact that I didn’t have to rely on my dad’s assistance.  I took pride in the manner in which Beth and I managed our affairs.  Occasionally, my dad would ask if I needed any money.  He was not a rich man.  He just wanted me to know that if I needed help, he was there.  I recall his question one day, to which I responded (with a great deal of inward pride) that, “If I ever ask you for financial help, you’ll know that I really need it!  I was less than 30 years old, and had absolutely no concept of how twisting, winding and steep the road of life can be.

After moving to Dallas, I made what turned out to be a very bad employment decision.  I went back into selling securities – a straight commission job.  Not long thereafter, the market took a nosedive, and money availability tightened up.  I was driving the wheels off a car, making contacts, nothing was happening, and no money was coming in.  For the first time since moving to Dallas, my wife had to go back to work.  Reluctantly, and with my feathers dragging in the dust, I had to ask my dad for a loan.  I can’t put into words the feeling of defeat that I had when this became necessary.  You might say that I was experiencing the pain of falling off the great stallion, PRIDE.  All the details of this experience is a story within itself.  God was giving me a graduate course, and after coming out on the other side, I can truthfully say that I needed every bit of it, and am a much better person as a result of it.  But, before scabs form on the wounds, and the bruises are a deep blue-black, this kind of course is tough!  I was contemplating suicide, and would have followed through, but there was one tiny problem.  God had me on the leash of my faith, which I couldn’t break.  I felt tied to Him by one tiny thread; like a single spider web filament, that was stronger than steel.  I knew I couldn’t do it   I couldn’t drop the class of God’s – all I could do was ride it out, and I strained to learn as quickly as possible what He was trying to show me.  We might conclude that initially, He had a little trouble getting my attention.  Soon, I was all ears!

This black cloud ended up having a silver lining, and though it often takes longer than our impatient humanity desires, God assures us of his love:


A few short years later, my dad died of cancer.  I had been unable to repay him.  I listened with shame as his Will was read, and the proceeds of his estate were adjusted to rectify what I owed him.  This was not vindictiveness on his part, but only fair to the other heirs.  I still feel guilt and shame as a result of this matter.  I needed help, and he was there.  I was just unable to keep my part of the agreement in a timely manner. 

Let me share this with you:


         


 

Harley