Tonight was the last class for this semester. We traditionally have pizza. So there I was coming from the far end of the parking lot carrying seven extra large pizzas and my book bag filled with all that stuff teachers accumulate during the semester. Before I got to the building I was puffing. As I leaned on the pad that automatically opens the doors one of my female students also got to the door. She said, “Can I help you carry some pizza?” This was a “girl!” Really now, I needed to protect my masculinity and as I started to say, “No thanks. I’ve got” my brain hijacked my stupidity and I blurted out, “Oh, yes please!” I was about to allow my foolish pride kill me. Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before a fall, might have taken on meaning all of its own.
All of my life I have heard that pride is a sin. But I have come to believe that should be qualified. I have yet to discern how being proud of others can be harmful. I am very proud of my sons. I am super proud of my wife. I am proud of my very obedient dog. If being ashamed is the opposite of being proud then Jesus is proud of us. Hebrews 2:11 says, “So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” The “them” in that sentence is you and me. How could it be that Jesus is proud of us? It’s an overwhelming thought. Again I think I need to qualify this by saying, “Sometimes.” It would be smug to say otherwise. There are some moments that are not so great. He must be proud of what we will become someday. His love knows no bounds.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 15, 2016
rogerbothwell.org