Confessing what we already know.

Excuse me for a moment while I think out loud.
The past week I have re-realized something that I have known for quite some time.  It is no hidden secret...in fact it is often the focus of many jokes and subtle (or not so subtle) stabs at me from those I love the most.
Once again, it has been in the front of my mind that I struggle most with...get ready, here it comes...

PRIDE.

Here are the signs that have brought this to the front of my mind...

• I wait for compliments when I think I've done well.  Not with obvious obsession, but quietly anticipating to be patted on the back.
• If I don't get complements, I question myself.
• No amount of compliments satisfy me...like lays chips, "you can't eat just one."

Here is the reason I find myself concerned about the issue of being proud...

     "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  Proverbs 16:18

The fall is always one step away.  One wrong move and all we work for can be gone.  This is why Moses and Joshua were constantly reminding the people, "do not turn to the left or the right!"  

There is the flip side to this whole story...the one where the overly humble do nothing in the name of "meekness."  The message of "do not turn" was not an excuse to not move!  

Here are the positive things I've noticed as I teeter between pride and faith...

• I do things I've never done...inexperience is not an excuse, but I often feel like anything is possible.
• I find myself over my head...this is good!  It's when I have exceeded my ability that I've gained first-hand knowledge of the power of God.
• There are no regrets...no I should haves or could haves.

Many godly men have fallen in the name of pride, "How the mighty have fallen!"  

On the flip side, no godly men have left a legacy by sitting on the couch.