The Joy Buster of Pride

[tamor]

Uppity is a downer. We are warned about being high-minded. That is, thinking more highly of ourselves than we should. Like the time I thought I was looking good, only to discover my pantyhose were underfoot-or more accurately, they were streaming behind my foot as I sashayed through the middle of town.

Remember in Genesis when Joseph paraded his new coat for his brothers' viewing? They in turn stripped him of his colors and sold him into slavery. Yep, showing off tends to trip us up. Thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought means a downfall is probably up ahead.

I guess God knew for Joseph to grow up, he would have to live down his need to be the center of attention. Here though, is the amazing truth: Joesph grew to handle his down times as well as he did his up times. He became an example to many as his social position looked an awful lot like a busy elevator.

Which leads me to ask - Who is the central focus of our lives? The Lord? Or our need to be center stage? Are we willing, whether we ascend or descend, to be a shining example?

(Patsy Clairmont)