QUICK STEPSಮಾದರಿ

QUICK PRIDE

The first thing I think about when I get something right for a change is whether someone noticed my rare good accomplishment. The old saying sums up my anxious need for recognition when I do something well. “When I do wrong, nobody forgets. But when I do right, nobody remembers!” Peter certainly had enough embarrassing moments that needed overriding by something good.

I can identify with the relief in Peter’s voice after Jesus told the rich man to sell all his possessions to follow Him (Mark 10). “Then Peter began to speak up.. ‘We’ve given up everything to follow you,’ he said” (v. 28, NLT). Phew! Peter’s one successful attempt was paying off. Can we hear some applause, please?

Of course, Jesus goes right to the root of the problem again when he answers Peter. “‘But many who are the greatest now will be the least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then’” (Mark 10:31, NLT). And Peter didn’t have to wait long for “then” to arrive. His proud moment, which was supposed to bring him some sense of worth, was soon crushed by yet another misstep.

Our need for recognition and affirmation is often so great that we miss the whole point. While we look for ways to impress our bosses or families, we open our hearts to pride. Instead of being grateful for God’s help during our daily tasks, we want all the credit for ourselves. It is simply too hard to admit how incapable we are of saving ourselves. “‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God’” (Mark 10:27, NLT).

Do you expect your good accomplishments to make up for your mistakes? How do you feel when you don’t get recognition when you do something well?

Let us take some time to view our accomplishments from a different perspective. And let us praise God daily for sending his only perfect Son to save us. “A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe” (Proverbs 14:3, NLT).