Lost in Lake Superior

"You rescue an afflicted people, but Your eyes are set against the proud- You humble them." 2 Samuel 22:28 (HCSB) Our Father loves to come to the rescue of the humbled ones. After all, He loves us!

However, it seems that unawaringly some of us have some pride that hinders us from experiencing our Heavenly Father fully: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) Pride leads to impasses. Besides, who in this world likes the prideful?

Instead we are encouraged to: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) It's only when we are humble that we can experience genuine love.

How many among us are proud?

Interestingly, so few of us will admit to pride, but are we truly being honest?

How many among us are humble?

Well, if we are truly humble, none of us would raise our hands either. After all, raising our hands would show that we are indeed not humble at all. The humbled ones would never shout: "I am humble!"

Do we ever meditate on our pride? It would be an eye-opener if we did. Most of us have hidden pride that is far from being productive, and it can hinder our relationship with our Maker. Pride destroys, as the prideful are always right. Is it any wonder that divorce is on the rise? Pride is a large part of that.

We often say we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. However, did Jesus ever show pride? Not at all. He was humble at all times.

One day some Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus, "And said to Jesus, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?'" John 8:4-5 (NIV) Never did He raise His voice. Instead He kept His eyes on the ground, writing in the dust.

The Pharisees kept on questioning Him, however it was only after a while that he lifted his face and said to the crowd: "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7 (NIV) This was quite amazing. Instead of answering their question, He shifted the question to the Pharisees and the public by asking them what they would do in this situation, and then He suggested that those who had never sinned should administer the punishment. Sadly, all of them had sinned, and their consciences began accusing them. They realized that pride was at the root of everything. Although they were ready to throw stones when they arrived, they left so quietly that no one noticed them go.

It's then that Jesus asked that poor woman: "where are they? Has no one condemned you?" John 8:10b (NIV) "No one, sir,' she said." 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" John 8:11 (NIV) That's our Jesus. He always sides with the humble, and He alone knows how to deal with the prideful.

During the days of Ford's Model T, these cars were so popular that they were shipped everywhere. Some even had to cross Lake Superior. The lake, however, can become quite temperamental at times, and it happened that the ship containing the Model Ts was in distress. They had to lighten the load, and the only thing they could do was to dump all the crates containing the Model Ts into the waters of Lake Superior.

One hundred years later, a man thought about finding these Model Ts. They were brand new, as no one had ever driven them. If he could find them, he would be rich. Success would have made him feel quite prideful.

The anchor caught itself on one of the Model T crate. Hurray! Once he found one, he would have no difficulties finding the rest of them. "I will be rich!"

He put out a buoy to indicate the location of this crate, and he went back for a ship that could pull the crate from the water. Unfortunately, upon his return, the buoy had disappeared. He searched and searched, but the shifting waters of Lake Superior had caused the crate to sink back into the sands of the lake's floor. He would never find any further traces of the Model Ts.

That poor man came back quite devastated. His prideful kingdom had evaporated into nothingness.

Rob Chaffart To contact us click here