Wednesday, June 19, 2024
I am a sports enthusiast. I love watching many different sports, especially football. I have my favorite teams, but I also have the occasional favorite player, who I admire and focus on.
One of these favorite players whom I have been drawn to in recent years is CJ Stroud, the current quarterback for the Houston Texans. He spent his college years at The Ohio State University and has had considerable success in his young career, including being voted the AP offensive rookie of the year this past season. But what I like about him is not the fact that he has a natural ability to read defenses or throw a pass 40+ yards with pinpoint accuracy. No, what I like is the fact that through all of his success, he remains humble. He never puts the spotlight on himself, and instead continually gives acknowledgment to God and praises his teammates.
Thankfully, there are quite a few athletes like CJ who exhibit genuine humility amid their success. Sadly, there are also many talented athletes who display the exact opposite of humility. They are arrogant, prideful, and quick to bring the spotlight to themselves whenever possible. When they do try to acknowledge others, it comes across as fake. One such individual who comes to mind is Johnny Manzel.
Proverbs 16:18 NIV
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
If you follow sports, you know the story of what happened to “Johnny Football.” His pride kept him from ever making it into the NFL. He was never able to put his pride aside and reconcile differences and issues with the teams that tried to give him a chance. CJ, on the other hand, looks to have a long, promising career.
This lesson does not just apply to athletes, it applies to everyone. This past weekend, we learned about the story of Absalom, whose pride prevented reconciliation with his brother and his father, and eventually led to his death.
It’s important for each of us to have a strong self-awareness and not allow pride to control our judgment. It is important to remember that no matter what we are going through, we can seek reconciliation through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Never let pride be your downfall; have the humility to admit what’s wrong.
Stay humble—avoid the stumble.
Questions:
Is pride a stumbling block in your relationship with Jesus? With others?
Do you actively seek reconciliation when you know you have wronged others?
Next Steps:
Seek out other stories in the Bible of prideful characters who met their demise. Some examples are Kings Nebuchadnezzar & Belshazzar (Daniel 5), King Saul (1 Chronicles 10), King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26), King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18), and Satan himself (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Review verses in the Bible that deal with pride. Some examples are Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 29:23, and James 4:6.
Prayer:
Father God, there are times when I struggle to admit wrongdoing. Help me first to be honest with myself and honest with you. Please help me to avoid allowing pride to keep me from reconciling differences and wrongs to others. Give me the wisdom and courage to humbly seek reconciliation through you and not let any prideful ways create stumbling blocks in my journey. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 37:3-4
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 37:3-4
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
This post was written by Ned Miller, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.