“See Ya Later!”

 During a recent family croquet game I was able to build a sizeable lead on the rest of the family. It was at that time I made a big mistake. I looked back and jokingly said the words, “See ya later!” Needless to say, my wife came back and roared right past me to take the victory. Guess whose ball was the first one out of the game. Mine!

Yes, it was only a fun, family game of croquet, but there is a life lesson in it as well.  So often in life we forget to live in the humility that Christ exemplifies. Maybe we boast about our accomplishments or find ways to get others to look at us in certain positive ways. The truth is, we live in a very individualistic world. A world that says, “Do what you want, do what feels good, do what will promote your name the best.” But those types of prideful thoughts are many times our downfall.

In Proverbs 16:18 the Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” If you look through the Old Testament you will find many stories where that is the case. The pride of many kings, nations and individuals soon led to their demise. Even in modern history many examples of this can be found. 

The book of Proverbs has much to say about this.  In chapter 11 it talks about how humility leads to wisdom and pride leads to disgrace. (11:2) In chapter 13 it says that humility is open to advice while pride produces quarrels (13:10), and then in the New Testament we see the characteristic of humility in the life of Jesus Christ over and over.  What a great example that is for us to live by.

There once was a group of English tourists who were visiting the house of Beethoven. When they came to the special room in which his old piano sat, one woman hurriedly pushed through the crowd to sit down on the piano bench and began to play one of Beethoven’s sonatas. Later, the tour guide told her that some of the best pianists in the world had visited that room, yet they refused to sit and play the piano out of humility.

The next time you are tempted to push your way to the front or say “see ya later,” think about the lesson I learned during my family croquet match.  If we learn from our small prideful errors hopefully it will keep us from a much bigger one down the road.  And hopefully our lives can exemplify the humility that is seen in our Savior Jesus Christ!  Have a great November and great Thanksgiving holiday everyone!